Goa-based regional airline FLY91 has signed a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, marking the largest ATR order globally by a regional airline.

Valued at approximately US$1 billion, the landmark deal is set to support one of the most significant fleet expansions by a regional carrier in India and strengthen FLY91's plans to build a dedicated regional network connecting more unserved and underserved cities across the country.

The signing ceremony took place at Udaan Bhawan, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi, in the presence of Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation; Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer, ATR; Alexis Vidal, Chief Commercial Officer, ATR; Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, FLY91; and Harsha Raghavan, Chairman, FLY91 and Managing Partner, Convergent Finance, along with ministry officials and other dignitaries.

Since starting commercial operations two and a half years ago, FLY91 has built a growing regional network. The airline has operated more than 15,000 flights and currently operates close to 280 weekly flights across 12 cities. Its 13th destination is scheduled to commence later this month. FLY91 currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. With the new order, the airline is preparing to scale its fleet to more than 60 aircraft over the coming years, providing the capacity to expand its regional network significantly.

The aircraft order comes as the Government of India continues to place greater focus on regional air connectivity through the newly announced UDAN 2.0 framework. The ATR 72-600 is suited to regional operations, with fuel efficiency, lower emissions and the ability to operate effectively from shorter runways. These capabilities make the aircraft particularly relevant for connecting smaller cities and towns with larger economic centres.

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. The Government’s Rs 28,840 crore investment under the UDAN 2.0 framework reflects our strong commitment to expanding regional air connectivity and bringing more tier 2 and tier 3 cities into the national economic mainstream. FLY91’s track record and its landmark fleet commitment reflects the confidence that India’s aviation sector continues to inspire, and investments of this scale in regional capacity will play a vital role in translating this vision into reality.”

For FLY91, the order is a major step towards its ambition of creating a dedicated regional aviation network focused on emerging cities.

Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, FLY91, said, “FLY91 was built on a singular conviction that India needs a dedicated regional airline focused on connecting emerging cities directly and efficiently. We have grown steadily and consistently since our launch, and this 40-aircraft order becomes the foundation for our next chapter. Having operated more than 15,000 flights in just two and a half years, we have built the operating experience and foundation to now scale significantly. Together with ATR, we are building the regional aviation network that Bharat deserves, one that unlocks opportunity, strengthens local economies, and truly keeps Bharat Unbound.”

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer, ATR, said, “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.”

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.”

With its current fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft, more than 15,000 flights completed and a network of 12 destinations, FLY91 is now preparing for a much larger phase of growth. The 40-aircraft order is expected to give the airline the scale to expand connectivity across India's tier 2 and tier 3 markets and support its vision of Connecting Bharat.