FLY91 and ATR today they announced the purchase of 40 planes ATR 72-600 for approximately one billion dollars, which represents the largest firm order for ATR in almost a decade and the largest ever by a regional airline. ATR Photo
Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2032. This historic agreement increases the order book of ATR for 2026 a 54 planes, already exceeding the company's total net orders for everything 2025, with more than three months still ahead.
Fly91 makes ATR happy
Less than three years after starting operations, regional airline FLY91 prepares to increase its fleet from six to 60 planes in the next five years. The order reflects both the airline's confidence in the country's growth potential and the conviction of ATR that regional aviation will play a critical role in connecting the next generation of travelers in India.
The expansion of regional aviation in India requires aircraft capable of offering affordable air travel on short regional routes, while maintaining the highest levels of efficiency and reliability. In a market where fare affordability remains crucial and fuel represents a significant portion of operating costs, the ATR 72-600 allows airlines to operate short regional routes efficiently and reliably, promoting sustainable growth between second and third tier cities and facilitating access to air transport for millions of more citizens.
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation of India, declared: «Regional connectivity is a fundamental pillar of aviation growth in India, and connecting smaller cities to major economic centers remains a national priority. FLY91's commitment to its fleet reflects the confidence that India's aviation sector continues to inspire. As we implement UDAN 2.0, “Investments of this magnitude in regional capacity will play a vital role in integrating more second and third tier cities into the national economy.”.
Harsha Raghavan, President of FLY91 and Managing Partner of Convergent Finance, declared: «As a founding partner of FLY91 and its main investor, From the beginning we have believed in the convergence of two great opportunities: India's growth and regional aviation potential. This request of 40 aircraft represents a critical milestone for FLY91 and provides us with the platform to expand our vision in the years to come. We believe regional connectivity will be a key driver for India's next phase of growth, connecting emerging economic centers, companies and communities throughout the country ».
Manoj Chacko, founder, general director and CEO of FLY91, added: «FLY91 was founded with a fundamental conviction: India needs a specialized and focused regional aviation network that connects emerging cities directly and efficiently. We have grown deliberately and constantly since our beginnings, and this request for 40 aircraft is the catalyst for our next phase of expansion. The ATR 72-600 offers the ideal operational profitability for our network, and our strong partnership with ATR will be key to driving the regional aviation revolution in India”.
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, executive director of ATR, added: «We are extremely proud that FLY91 has chosen ATR to support this new phase of its development. This expansion aligns perfectly with the Indian Government's ambition to strengthen regional connectivity through UDAN, providing affordable and reliable air transportation to underserved communities. The ATR 72-600 combines profitability, unmatched efficiency and reliability, enabling airlines to offer affordable fares and connect millions of passengers to opportunities across India.".
This order comes at a crucial time for the country's aviation sector.. The Mobility Monitor ATR records approximately 4.600 million intercity trips per year, of which only around 3% They are currently carried out by air, which highlights the enormous potential that still exists for regional aviation. Even more importart, represents an opportunity to bring the benefits of air travel to millions of Indians who have never before considered it a viable option, allowing the transport of up to 35 million additional passengers as regional connectivity continues to expand.
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