TORonTO – Bombardier Aerospace said Thursday that Qantas Airways Ltd. has placed a firm order for three Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft in a deal valued at US$98 million based on the list price.

Bombardier said the order will increase to 31 the number of Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners operated by Qantas.

The airline also operates two Bombardier Dash 8-200s, three Q200s and 16 Q300 aircraft.

The Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft is built at Bombardiers factory in Toronto.

Shares were up four cents at C$4.08 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Thursday.