The order further strengthens ATR’s presence in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment.
This sets the stage for one of the most significant fleet expansions by a regional carrier in India, the company said in a statement.
Goa-based FLY91 currently connects routes including Pune, Sindhudurg, Solapur and Jalgaon in Maharashtra; Agatti in the Lakshadweep Islands; Hubballi in Karnataka; Tirupati, Vijayawada and Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh; along with other business and leisure destinations Bengaluru, Goa, Kochi and Hyderabad.
FLY91 operated more than 15,000 flights and close to 280 weekly flights to 12 cities, with its 13th destination set to commence later this month.
From its current fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft, FLY91 is now poised for exponential expansion to more than 60 aircraft over the coming years. The landmark order for 40 aircraft will provide the scale to build a much larger regional network and connect more unserved and underserved cities across the country, the company said.
The signing ceremony took place at Udaan Bhawan, Ministry of Civil Aviation, in New Delhi, in the presence of Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation; Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ATR, Alexis Vidal, Chief Commercial Officer, ATR, Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, FLY91 and Harsha Raghavan, Chairman, FLY91 and Managing Partner Convergent Finance, along with ministry officials and other dignitaries.
“Regional connectivity is a fundamental pillar of India’s aviation growth story, and bridging smaller cities with major economic hubs remains a national priority. The Government’s Rs 28,840 crore investment under the UDAN 2.0 framework reflects our strong commitment to expanding regional air connectivity and bringing more tier 2 and tier 3 cities into the national economic mainstream, Ram Mohan Naidu said.
FLY91’s track record and its landmark fleet commitment reflects the confidence that India’s aviation sector continues to inspire, and investments of this scale in regional capacity will play a vital role in translating this vision into reality, he said.
“We have grown steadily and consistently since our launch, and this 40-aircraft order becomes the foundation for our next chapter. Having operated more than 15,000 flights in just two and a half years, we have built the operating experience and foundation to now scale significantly. Together with ATR, we are building the regional aviation network that Bharat deserves, one that unlocks opportunity, strengthens local economies, and truly keeps Bharat Unbound,” Manoj Chacko, said.
“This expansion aligns closely with the Indian Government’s ambition to strengthen regional connectivity through UDAN, bringing affordable and reliable air transport to underserved communities. The ATR 72-600 combines unmatched economics, efficiency and reliability, enabling airlines to offer affordable fares while connecting millions of passengers to opportunities across India,” Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer, ATR, said.
“As a founding partner of FLY91 and its lead investor, we have believed from the outset in the convergence of two powerful opportunities: India’s growth story and the potential of regional aviation. This 40-aircraft order is a defining milestone for FLY91 and provides the platform to scale our vision over the coming years. We believe regional connectivity will be a critical enabler of India’s next phase of growth, linking emerging economic centres, businesses and communities across the country,” Harsha Raghavan, Chairman, FLY91 and Managing Partner, Convergent Finance, said.
