FLY91 and ATR have announced a landmark agreement covering the purchase of 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, in a deal valued at approximately US$1 billion. The order represents the largest firm commitment received by ATR in almost a decade and the biggest-ever order placed by a regional airline.
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032, setting the stage for a major expansion of FLY91’s regional network. The airline, which launched operations less than three years ago, currently operates a fleet of six aircraft and plans to increase that figure to 60 aircraft over the next five years.
The agreement also significantly strengthens ATR’s order book for 2026. With the FLY91 commitment included, ATR’s order intake has reached 54 aircraft, already exceeding the manufacturer’s total net orders recorded throughout 2025, with more than three months still remaining in the year.
The scale of the order reflects FLY91’s confidence in India’s continued growth while also underlining ATR’s view that regional aviation will have a central role in connecting the country’s next generation of travellers.
With the expanding regional aviation market in India, there is a need for aircraft that can offer affordable connectivity on shorter routes, but with good efficiency and reliability. The ATR 72-600 can help to keep operations efficient on regional routes, fare affordability remains important and fuel is a significant proportion of airline operating costs.
Its economics are particularly suited to the development of connections between Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, helping airlines expand sustainably while making air travel accessible to millions more people.
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. 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 2 and tier 3 cities into the national economic mainstream.”
For FLY91, the agreement represents a significant step in the airline’s development and provides the capacity needed to accelerate its regional 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.”
Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director & CEO of FLY91, said the new order would provide the catalyst for the airline’s next phase after what he described as deliberate and consistent growth since its creation.
“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.”
The potential for further growth in India’s regional aviation market remains substantial. According to ATR’s Mobility Monitor, the country records approximately 4.6 billion intercity journeys every year, yet only around 3% are currently made by air.
That gap highlights the significant opportunity available to regional carriers as air connectivity expands beyond the country’s largest cities. FLY91’s plans are expected to support up to 35 million additional passengers as regional connectivity continues to develop.
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said the manufacturer was proud to have been selected by FLY91 for its next stage of development.
“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.”
