In holding with tradition, a number of airlines have used that Farnborough Air Show this week to make announcements about new aircraft orders. European carrier Flybe said that it would be furthering its expansion into the west of Europe with an order for 35 Embraer 175 jets. The planes, which are capable of seating 88 passengers, will be delivered from 2011 through 2017.

Chief executive of Flybe, Jim French, said he felt that it was a good time to start increasing the size of the airline’s fleet. The airline also has a number of Bombardier Q400s. He added that the deal was a way of insuring the carrier’s future growth and would allow Flybe to increase its regional reach across mainland Europe.

Flybe has also just announced a new partnership with Air France which will give both airlines more opportunities across new routes. Mr French said that he believed Flybe passengers chose the airline over Europe’s other low cost airlines because its seating configurations meant more leg room and increased comfort.

The Embraer deal is worth £850 million, and the airline has been offered the opportunity of increasing the order to 105 aircraft. Also ordering 20 new jets from the Brazilian based manufacturer was Air Lease Corporation. Along with 60 Boeing next-generation 737s, the company announced an order worth $800 million.

Royal Jordanian said that they were ordering three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and Avolon, the aircraft leasing company based in Ireland, announced a deal worth $921 for 12 Boeing next-generation 737s.