SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) has taken delivery of its first 90-seat Dash 8-400, becoming the first operator of the extra-capacity version of the Bombardier Aerospace turboprop.

"The additional seats and performance improvements will result in substantial reduction in unit costs and also we will enable us to address our market needs in the regional space," SpiceJet's Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said.

The aircraft, VT-SQA (msn 4583) left Toronto Downsview on September 21 on delivery to India via Goose Bay, Reykjavik Keflavik, Bournemouth, Bucharest Henri Coanda, Trabzon, and Fujairah.

The Indian low-cost carrier already operates twenty-two Q400s. All of SpiceJet's current Q400 aircraft are equipped with 78 seats. It deploys the aircraft to 38 destinations across India as well as to Colombo International, Dhaka, and Malé with Hyderabad International, Chennai and Bengaluru International being the three most important bases for its turboprop operations.

PAL Express (2P, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) and Nok Air (DD, Bangkok Don Mueang) currently already operate 86-seat versions of the Q400.