Indian regional airline Fly91 is close to placing an order for at least 20 ATR turboprops, a deal that would substantially expand its fleet and provide a significant new order for the Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer.
Three people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that the agreement could also include options for several additional aircraft. An announcement could come as early as this week, although the sources cautioned that negotiations have not been finalized and both the number of aircraft and timing could still change. ATR declined to comment, while Fly91 did not immediately respond to Reuters.
Follow Air Data News: WhatsApp | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Fly91 currently operates six ATR 72-600s, having added two aircraft earlier this year. The carrier began commercial operations in March 2024 and has previously outlined plans to operate 30 aircraft and connect more than 50 cities within its first five years.
Based at Manohar International Airport in Goa, on India's west coast, Fly91 concentrates on regional services connecting smaller cities. Its network currently covers about a dozen destinations.
The airline strengthened its relationship with ATR in January by signing an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement covering components, propellers and other support for its growing ATR 72-600 fleet. ATR said at the time that Fly91's aircraft were averaging more than 2,500 flight hours annually.
A firm order for at least 20 aircraft would therefore account for most of the additional fleet required to reach Fly91's 30-aircraft target, although the airline has not disclosed a delivery schedule for the potential purchase.
Important market for ATR
India has become one of the most important markets for turboprop aircraft as airlines expand connections between smaller cities where traffic volumes or airport infrastructure can favor aircraft such as the 70-seat ATR 72-600 over larger narrowbody jets.
The country is particularly significant for ATR, which dominates the commercial turboprop market but relies on a relatively limited group of countries for a large share of demand. India and Indonesia are among its largest markets.
Much of India's regional expansion has been supported by the government's UDAN program, which subsidizes services to underserved destinations and encourages the development of regional airports.
The Indian government said earlier this year that it plans to invest approximately US$3 billion in the program, including the development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips. The policy is intended to bring more smaller cities into the country's rapidly expanding air transport network.
The model has nevertheless proved difficult for some regional operators, with a number of subsidized routes discontinued after airlines struggled to make them commercially sustainable.
Fly91 is backed by private equity firm Convergent Finance and was created specifically around the regional model, using the ATR 72-600 for short domestic routes.
