A $480 million (€478 million) order for 15 Boeing 717-200s was announced yesterday by Pembroke, a Dublin-based aircraft financing, leasing and management group. This brings the number of aircraft ordered by it to 25, worth $800 million.

Pembroke is half owned by Rolls Royce with financier Mr Dermot Desmond holding an estimated 30 per cent stake. The company manages a fleet of more than 115 aircraft leased to 30 operators in more than 20 countries.