India’s regional aviation sector received a major boost on Tuesday as pure‑play regional carrier FLY91 signed a firm order for 40 ATR 72‑600 aircraft. The deal, valued at approximately $1 billion, stands as the largest single ATR order by any regional airline globally.
The order reshapes regional travel.
Scale for rapid expansion
Goa‑based FLY91 has operated a relatively short time, launching commercial operations just over two and a half years ago. Since then, the carrier has built a foundation based on steady growth, operating more than 15,000 flights and serving 12 cities with close to 280 weekly flights.
Its 13th destination is set to begin service later this month.
Currently operating a fleet of six ATR 72‑600 aircraft, the airline is preparing for a significant scale‑up. The 40 new planes will allow the carrier to expand its network beyond its current reach, aiming to connect more unserved and underserved cities across the country.
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This addition creates the necessary scale for the airline to move beyond its initial phase into a broader network.
The signing ceremony took place at Udaan Bhawan in New Delhi. It included several high‑profile attendees, such as Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and ATR executives Nathalie Tarnaud Laude and Alexis Vidal.
FLY91’s leadership, including Founder and Managing Director Manoj Chacko and Chairman Harsha Raghavan, were also present, along with ministry officials and other dignitaries.
Fleet suited for Indian conditions
The ATR 72‑600 is specifically designed for regional routes. Its strong fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and ability to operate effectively from shorter runways make it a practical choice for the diverse terrain and airport infrastructure found across India. ATR executives noted that the aircraft combines economics and reliability, enabling airlines to offer affordable fares while connecting passengers to opportunities.
Minister Naidu emphasized that regional connectivity is a pillar of India’s aviation growth story. He noted the government’s ₹28,840 crore investment under the UDAN 2.0 framework reflects a commitment to expanding air access for tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities.
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The current wave of investment differs from the early years of India’s full‑service aviation boom, when a handful of legacy carriers expanded routes to international and domestic hubs.
Now smaller regional specialists stitch together the domestic map, lifting smaller towns into the national economic mainstream through dedicated service.
Travelers in tier‑2 towns can now expect reduced journey times and lower ticket prices, encouraging business and tourism flows.
Manoj Chacko described the order as the foundation for the next chapter. He noted that the airline has built the operating experience required to scale significantly.
