FLY91 Places Landmark Order for 40 ATR 72-600 Aircraft
Indian regional carrier FLY91 announced Thursday the purchase of 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion. This agreement represents ATR’s largest firm order in nearly a decade and the largest order ever placed by a purely regional airline in the manufacturer’s history.
Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2032. With this transaction, ATR’s order backlog for 2026 rises to 54 aircraft—a figure that exceeds the company’s total net orders for all of 2025, with more than three months remaining in the year.
From 6 to 60 Aircraft: FLY91’s Expansion Plan
Less than three years after launching operations, FLY91 plans to expand its fleet from six aircraft to a total of 60 over the next five years. This growth reflects the airline’s confidence in the potential of the Indian market and ATR’s commitment to regional aviation as a primary driver to connect the next generation of passengers.
→ ATR Evaluates ATR 72-600 Modifications to Conquer US Market and Compete with Regional Jets
Key Role of the ATR 72-600 on Short-Haul Routes
India’s aviation market demands aircraft capable of delivering affordable air transport on short regional routes while maintaining high levels of efficiency and reliability. In an environment where fare prices are critical and fuel accounts for a substantial portion of operating costs, the ATR 72-600 enables:
- Operational Efficiency: Cost-effective operations on short regional sectors.
- Sustainable Development: Direct connectivity between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Social Inclusion: Air travel access for millions of citizens.
Strategic Vision
The impact of this deal extends beyond the airline, directly aligning with Indian government initiatives such as the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme.
“Regional connectivity is a vital pillar of India’s aviation growth story, and linking smaller towns to major economic hubs remains a national priority,” said Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation.
Harsha Raghavan, Chairman of FLY91 and Managing Partner at lead investor Convergent Finance, highlighted that the 40-aircraft order marks an operational milestone in scaling the company’s vision as a key catalyst for economic growth.
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ATR, emphasized that the aircraft type delivers unmatched economics, efficiency, and reliability, allowing the airline to offer affordable fares to connect millions of passengers.
Potential of the Indian Aviation Market
According to data from the ATR Mobility Monitor, approximately 4.6 billion intercity trips are made annually in India, with only about 3% taking to the skies.
This gap highlights a major opportunity for regional air transport. With the projected expansion of connectivity, this order will extend the benefits of air travel to as many as 35 million additional passengers who previously did not consider flying a viable option.
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