LYNN, Massachusetts - Air Littoral of Montpellier, France, has ordered seven Canadair Regional Jet aircraft from Bombardier's Regional Aircraft Division, plus options for an additional five aircraft, all powered by GE CF34 turbofan engines.

The CF34 engine, which is manufactured at GE's Lynn, Massachusetts, plant, is the sole powerplant for the Canadair Jet, which currently is in service with 14 operators in eight countries worldwide.

Air Littoral, which purchased its first GE-powered Canadair Jet in 1993, was the first French company to operate the aircraft. The airline has expressed plans to expand the fleet at its new hub in Nice, France, and add new destinations to Spain and Italy.

"The Canadair Jet has served Air Littoral very well and will continue to do so in the future," said Lloyd Thompson, general manager of the Small Commercial Turbofan Department of GE Aircraft Engines. "The speed and the range of this CF34-powered aircraft will provide value, reliability, and performance to its expanding fleet."

Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 1997.