Bombardier today announced a new firm order for six CRJ1000 regional jets and options for 18 more to an undisclosed airline.

The firm order, which is valued at $297 million at list prices, helps Bombardier quickly rebound from a difficult sales campaign in 2011. The company recorded sales of only four CRJ-series regional jets throughout all of last year.

Mike Arcamone, newly-appointed president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said the CRJ1000 is performing "beyond expectations with current operators and we are thrilled to welcome another customer".

Bombardier has said the CRJ1000 has achieved a scheduled completion rate of 99.8% and a dispatch reliability rate of 99.5% as of 20 August 2011.

But sales of the 86- to 104-seater have been slow. So far, Spain's Air Nostrum and Brit Air in France are the type's only operators.

Bombardier launched the CRJ1000 as the latest stretch of the 50-seat CRJ200 in 2007, and deliveries commenced in December 2010. Compared to the 32.51m (106ft 8in) CRJ700, the CRJ1000 adds 6.62m to the length of the fuselage. The CRJ1000 also has more wing area.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news