FLY91 places $1-billion order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft

FLY91 signs largest ATR order by a regional airline

MUMBAI: In a major boost to the country’s regional air connectivity, Goa-based FLY91 placed a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft in a deal valued at $1 billion, marking the largest ATR order globally by any regional airline.The deal touted as a “gamechanger for regional aviation’’ in the country will see the airline’s fleet go from the current 6 aircraft to more than 60. The deal has come at a time when regional connectivity has received a fresh impetus from the government through the newly announced UDAN 2.0 framework.“The order further strengthens ATR’s presence in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. With its strong fuel efficiency, lower emissions and ability to operate effectively from shorter runways, the ATR 72-600 is the perfect aircraft for regional flying in India,” said FLY91 in a press statement. The two-and-a-half-year-old airline operates close to 280 weekly flights to 12 cities with its 13^th destinations set to commence later this month.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.”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.”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.”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.“The airlines’ current route map includes 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 namely Bengaluru, Goa, Kochi and Hyderabad.