Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has completed a firm agreement with India’s SpiceJet covering up to 50 Q400 turboprops, marking the largest single order ever for the Q400 program and raising the firm order total for the Q400 to more than 600. Upon delivery, the airline will become the first in the world to operate a 90-seat turboprop, pending certification by regulatory authorities.

The purchase agreement includes a firm order for 25 Q400s and purchase rights on another 25. Bombardier places the value of the order at $1.7 billion based on list prices.

The airplanes, for which SpiceJet signed a letter of intent to take in an 86-seat configuration during this past June’s Paris Air Show, will come delivered with the new 90-seat cabin layout Bombardier first revealed during the 2016 Singapore Air Show. The high-density, all-economy configuration allows for a 28-inch seat pitch.

Now flying twenty 78-seat Q400s, SpiceJet plans to take its next Bombardier turboprop once the manufacturer gains certification for the 90-seat layout next year. 

“I am sure this fresh order will help us further enhance connectivity to smaller towns and cities and help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that every Indian can fly,” said SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh. “SpiceJet operates India’s largest regional fleet and has always been a firm believer in the growth story of India's smaller towns and cities. We have worked hard over the years to put these smaller towns on the country's aviation map and will strive to keep that momentum going in the times to come.”

“We have been witnessing growth in the number of passengers per departure in the turboprop market, and especially in India,” added Bombardier vice president of sales for Southeast Asia and Australasia François Cognard. “This fleet expansion will provide SpiceJet with the ability to grow profitably and leverage the robust demand forecast in the world’s fastest-growing regional aviation market.”

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region includes regional support offices in Gurgaon, India; Tokyo; Sydney; Shanghai and Singapore. It also maintains parts depots in Tokyo, Sydney, Tianjin and Singapore. GMR Aero Technic in Hyderabad, India; Staeco in Jinan, China; and Hawker Pacific in Cairns, Australia, comprise its network of authorized service facilities in the region.