Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, the world's only specialist aircraft tyre company, is celebrating the end of its centenary year with news that it has won a major deal to support Air Nostrum's new fleet of Bombardier CRJ1000 Next Gen regional jets.

Air Nostrum, based in Valencia, Spain, operates as a franchise of Iberia Airlines and has 20 of the new aircraft on order, with options on a further 15. This will be the largest fleet of CRJ1000s in the world and Air Nostrum will take delivery of its first aircraft later this month.

The agreement will see Dunlop Aircraft Tyres supply the two nosewheel and four mainwheel tyres for each of the 100-seat aircraft.

"Air Nostrum's agreement builds on our long-standing relationship with the airline and our success in the regional aircraft marketplace. It is a fantastic way for us to close our centenary year", said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' chairman, Ian Edmondson.

"We have had a great centenary year. We saw new orders from major aircraft operators, investment in people and equipment to boost our radial tyre production and testing capability, a visit from HRH The Duke of York and a brilliant celebration at Farnborough Air Show."

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has a strong relationship with Bombardier, which includes supplying the entire Dash 8 turboprop range.

The company also supplies, under a supplemental type certificate (STC), tyres for all other CRJ variants.

Europe's largest operator of CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft, Lufthansa, relies on Dunlop's products, while the Birmingham, UK-based company also supports a number of other airlines around the world.