New Delhi: FLY91 has signed a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, marking the largest ATR order globally by any regional airline and setting the stage for one of the most significant fleet expansions by a regional carrier in India.
Valued at approximately $1 billion, the landmark deal is a major milestone for FLY91 and its plans to expand regional air connectivity across India.
The airline, which commenced operations two and a half years ago, currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft and is set to expand its fleet to more than 60 aircraft over the coming years.
FLY91 has already operated more than 15,000 flights since its launch and currently operates close to 280 weekly flights to 12 cities.
With its 13th destination scheduled to commence later this month, the airline’s order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft is expected to provide the scale required to build a larger regional network and connect more unserved and underserved cities across the country.
The order marks a defining step in FLY91’s ambition to establish a dedicated regional aviation network focused on “Connecting Bharat”.
The development comes as the Government of India gives fresh impetus to regional connectivity through the newly announced UDAN 2.0 framework.
FLY91 Signs 40 ATR 72-600 Aircraft Order
The signing ceremony was held at Udaan Bhawan, Ministry of Civil Aviation, 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.
The order further strengthens ATR’s presence in India, which is described as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
The ATR 72-600 aircraft offers fuel efficiency, lower emissions and the ability to operate effectively from shorter runways, making it suited to regional flying in India.
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Government Highlights Regional Connectivity
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, said, “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 ₹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.
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.”
The government’s investment under the UDAN 2.0 framework is aimed at expanding regional air connectivity and bringing more tier 2 and tier 3 cities into the national economic mainstream.
FLY91 Plans Major Fleet Expansion
Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, FLY91, said, “FLY91 was built on a singular conviction that India needs a dedicated regional airline focused on connecting emerging cities directly and efficiently.
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.”
The airline currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft across its regional network. Following the latest order, FLY91 is positioned to expand its fleet to more than 60 aircraft over the coming years.
The 40-aircraft order is expected to enable FLY91 to expand its regional network and serve more unserved and underserved cities across India.
ATR Highlights Aircraft’s Regional Role
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer, ATR, said, “We are incredibly proud that FLY91 has chosen ATR to support this new phase of its development.
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.”
The ATR 72-600 aircraft is positioned as an important part of FLY91’s regional expansion plans, with the aircraft’s fuel efficiency, lower emissions and ability to operate from shorter runways supporting the airline’s regional network strategy.
FLY91’s Regional Network Expansion
Harsha Raghavan, Chairman, FLY91 and Managing Partner, Convergent Finance, 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.”
Since commencing commercial operations, FLY91 has followed steady and measured growth as a pure-play regional carrier. In two and a half years, the airline has operated more than 15,000 flights and currently operates close to 280 weekly flights across 12 destinations.
Its 13th destination is scheduled to commence later this month. FLY91 currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft across its regional network.
The new order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft will support the airline’s planned fleet expansion and its objective of building a larger regional network connecting emerging cities and underserved markets across India.
