Tassili Airlines of Algiers, Algeria has signed a contract for four 74-seat Q400 turboprop airliners from Bombardier.The airline is the first Q400 customer in Algeria and the second in Africa.

The value of the contract based on list prices is $103 million US. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2007.

A subsidiary of the Sonatrach State Energy Group, Tassili Airlines will initially transport workers to several oil fields in Algeria. It plans to add domestic and international scheduled airline service within the next few years.

“We selected the Bombardier Q400 because of its superlative fuel economy, speed and passenger comfort,” said Captain Rachid Nouar, Director of Operations at Tassili Airlines. “Bombardier’s Q Series and Dash 8 turboprops have proven to have a high reliability in the sometimes harsh North African climate. In addition, the Q400 aircraft has an unbeatable performance in very high temperature conditions.”

“We welcome Tassili Airlines to the growing list of Bombardier Q400 operators,” said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “Tassili is the 17th operator to recognize the outstanding mission capability and operating costs of the Q400. This airplane is reshaping the regional air transport market.”

Firm orders for the Bombardier Q400 aircraft stood at 177 aircraft at April 30, 2006 with 118 aircraft delivered to operators in Europe, North America, Africa and the Asia/Pacific region.
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