The order reflects confidence of Fly91 in strong growth potential of India and the belief of ATR that regional aviation will play a central role in connecting the next generation of travellers of the country, particularly across emerging cities
As part of its expansion plans, Fly91, a regional airline based in Goa, has placed an order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
In a press statement, ATR, a Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer based in Toulouse, says that the deal valued at about USD 1 billion, making it the largest order for ATR in almost a decade.
The statement adds that the deliveries for the order are scheduled from 2027-2032 and that it has lifted its 2026 order intake to 54 aircraft, already crossing the total net orders of the company for the whole of 2025.
ATR says that less than three years after launching operations, regional airline Fly91 is set to expand its fleet from six to 60 aircraft over the next five years. The order reflects confidence of Fly91 in strong growth potential of India and the belief of ATR that regional aviation will play a central role in connecting the next generation of travellers of the country, particularly across emerging cities.
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The regional aviation growth of India requires aircraft that can provide affordable and reliable air travel on short routes while maintaining high levels of efficiency. With fuel accounting for a significant share of operating costs, the ATR 72-600 is well suited to regional operations, supporting sustainable connectivity between Tier II and Tier III cities and making air travel accessible to millions more people.
“Regional connectivity is a fundamental pillar of India’s aviation growth story, and bridging smaller cities with major economic hubs remains a national priority. Fly91’s fleet commitment reflects the confidence that India’s aviation sector continues to inspire. As we roll out UDAN 2.0, investments of this scale in regional capacity will play a vital role in bringing more Tier II and Tier III cities into the national economic mainstream,” says Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
“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,” says Harsha Raghavan, Chairman, Fly91 and Managing Partner, Convergent Finance, which owns the airline.
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“Fly91 was built on a singular conviction: India needs a focused, dedicated regional aviation network that connects emerging cities directly and efficiently. We have grown deliberately and consistently since our inception and this 40-aircraft order is the catalyst for our next phase of expansion. The ATR 72-600 offers the ideal operating economics for our network and our deepened partnership with ATR will be central to powering India’s regional aviation revolution,” says Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Fly91.
“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,” says Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer, ATR.