FLY91 and ATR have announced an agreement for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at approximately US$1 billion. The deal represents ATR’s largest firm order in almost a decade and the biggest ever placed by a regional airline. Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2032. The agreement takes ATR’s 2026 order intake to 54 aircraft, already exceeding its total net orders for 2025, with more than three months of the year remaining.
Less than three years after beginning operations, regional airline FLY91 plans to expand its fleet from six aircraft to 60 over the next five years. The order highlights the carrier’s confidence in India’s growth prospects and ATR’s belief that regional aviation will play a key role in connecting the country’s next generation of travellers.
India’s regional aviation expansion requires aircraft that can provide affordable travel on short routes while maintaining high levels of efficiency and reliability. With fares remaining a key consideration and fuel accounting for a significant proportion of operating costs, the ATR 72-600 allows airlines to serve regional routes efficiently and dependably. It supports sustainable growth between Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities while making air travel accessible to millions more people.
ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, welcomed the opportunity to support FLY91 as the airline begins its next phase of expansion: “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.”
Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, FLY91, added: “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”.
