Uruguayan start-up BQB Air has concluded a deal with ATR for the purchase of two new ATR 72-500s, which is expected to be formally announced at the Paris air show later this month.

A BQB Air source says the carrier has committed to taking delivery of its first ATR 72 in September and aims to launch services in October or November. He says ATR has already completed the aircraft and painted it in BQB colours ahead of the Paris air show, where there will be a ceremony involving ATR and some of the airline’s owners.

BQB Air is owned by the Lopez Mena family, which already owns Uruguayan ferry operator Buquebus and a local bus company. ATI first reported in January that the Lopez Mena family had unveiled plans to launch an airline with an initial fleet of two ATR 72s to complement its ferry and bus businesses. At the time Buquebus was considering launching services with wet-leased ATR 72s.

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