UK regional carrier Flybe will this week provide a shot in the arm for Bombardier's struggling Dash 8 Q400 programme with an order for around 20 more of the 70-seat turboprops. The deal is ...

One more Q400 willbe delivered this year, with eight in 2004, two in 2005 and the final three in 2006. The airline also has 20 options on the type, which can be exercised up until 2008.

The Q400 aircraft being sub-leased by Flybe have an average age of 5.4 years and will have an average sub-lease period of 4.6 years at March 2015.

British carrier Flybe said on Tuesday it had signed a services agreement with Bombardier Inc, making the Canadian planemaker's Q400 the 'aircraft of choice' for Flybe's UK branded business.