TORONTO: Bombardier Aerospace now has a firm purchase agreement from WestJet for up to 45 Q400 NextGen aircraft.

The Calgary-based airline had announced its intention to buy the turboprop aircraft in May. Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. said the order is valued at US$683 million but could increase to approximately $1.59 billion if the 25 options are converted to firm orders.

The Q400 aircraft is deployed in a variety of markets ranging from typical short-haul turboprop markets to longer-haul jet replacement opportunities, said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The Q400, built at Bombardiers Toronto plant, is the successor to the company’s Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft.

Bombardier says the 70- to 80-seat aircraft uses 30% to 40% less fuel and produces 30% to 40% fewer emissions on routes wher it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets.