FLY91 Places Historic One Billion Dollar Order for 40...

Goa-based regional airline FLY91 has signed a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft valued at approximately US$1 billion, marking the largest single order for ATR aircraft in global aviation history. The landmark fleet expansion is supported by the Government of India's ₹28,840 crore UDAN 2.0 regional connectivity framework, designed to link underserved Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to major economic hubs across Bharat.

[NEW DELHI, India, Sept. 3, 2026] — Indian regional aviation reached a historic milestone on September 3, 2026, as Goa-based carrier FLY91 formally executed a firm purchasing contract for 40 new ATR 72-600 aircraft. The signing ceremony, conducted at Udaan Bhawan under the auspices of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi, seals the largest single order ever placed for regional turboprop aircraft worldwide.

The US$1 billion transaction provides FLY91 with the fleet scale required to expand its regional network from its current base of 6 ATR 72-600 aircraft to over 60 aircraft in the coming years. Operating in alignment with the Indian government's newly introduced UDAN 2.0 regional connectivity scheme, the aircraft will open direct air links to unserved and underserved regional airports across the country.

Official Signing Ceremony and Industry Leadership Alignment

The purchasing agreement was executed in the presence of senior government officials and aviation executives:

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer of ATR.
Alexis Vidal, Chief Commercial Officer of ATR.
Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of FLY91.
Harsha Raghavan, Chairman of FLY91 and Managing Partner of Convergent Finance (lead founding investor).

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, emphasized the national economic vision: "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 ₹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."

Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, stated: "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."

FLY91 Operational Track Record and Growth Metrics

Since initiating commercial operations two and a half years ago, Goa-headquartered FLY91 has focused exclusively on point-to-point regional air transport.

The carrier currently operates nearly 280 weekly scheduled flights connecting 12 cities across India, with a total of over 15,000 completed flights. FLY91 is scheduled to inaugurate service to its 13th destination later in September 2026. The 40 new ATR 72-600 turboprops will progressively join the current fleet of six aircraft, expanding the carrier's operating capacity to over 60 aircraft.

FLY91 40-Aircraft Order & Operational Parameters

Parameter	Official Contract Specification	Strategic & Market Value
Aircraft Model	ATR 72-600 Turboprop	70 to 78-seat short-field regional configuration
Firm Order Volume	40 Aircraft (Largest regional order in history)	Expands fleet from 6 to over 60 aircraft
Deal Valuation	Approximately US$1 Billion (~₹8,350 Crore)	Major private capital investment in Indian aviation
Contract Signing Venue	Udaan Bhawan, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi	Attended by Civil Aviation Minister & ATR Leadership
Government Policy Framework	UDAN 2.0 Regional Connectivity Scheme	Backed by ₹28,840 Crore central government funding
Operational Track Record	>15,000 Flights Completed in 2.5 Years	Currently operating ~280 weekly flights across 12 cities

ATR 72-600 Technical Capabilities and Environmental Efficiency

The ATR 72-600 turboprop is uniquely engineered for regional operations across emerging markets. Featuring Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines driving 6-blade Hamilton Sundstrand propellers, the aircraft offers superior short-field performance, enabling operations at regional airstrips with runways under 1,200 meters.

From an environmental and economic perspective, the ATR 72-600 burns up to 45% less fuel and emits up to 45% less CO₂ per passenger than comparable regional jet aircraft. This operational efficiency enables FLY91 to maintain low seat-mile costs and offer affordable fare structures across lower-density regional routes.

Aircraft Specifications & Environmental Metrics

Technical & Operational Metric	ATR 72-600 Performance Parameter	Operational Advantage for Tier-2/3 Airports
Engine Plant	2x Pratt & Whitney PW127M Turboprops	High hot-and-high airfield efficiency
Passenger Seating	70 to 78 Ergonomic Seats	Ideal capacity for developing regional routes
Fuel Burn Efficiency	Up to 45% lower fuel burn vs regional jets	Reduces seat-mile costs & keeps fares low
Carbon Footprint	45% lower CO₂ emissions than regional jets	Supports sustainable regional transport goals
Runway Performance	Operations supported on runways <1,200m	Access to unpaved & short regional airstrips

Digi Yatra and Regional Airport Transit Guide (Information Gain)

For travelers utilizing FLY91's expanding regional network across Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities in 2026, understanding regional airport procedures and digital transit links enhances travel efficiency.

Digital Border & Domestic Airport Access: Digi Yatra

Facial Recognition Entry: Passengers flying FLY91 out of regional gateways integrated into the Digi Yatra ecosystem (such as Goa Manohar International Airport GOX, Hyderabad HYD, or Bengaluru BLR) should complete Digi Yatra app enrollment prior to arrival. Using facial recognition gates reduces terminal entry and security screening queues to under 3 minutes.
Paperless Boarding: Ensure the Digi Yatra ID is linked to the FLY91 PNR during web check-in to enable contactless gate boarding.

Regional Luggage Allowances & Transfer Windows

Cabin & Checked Baggage Policies: Due to overhead bin dimensions on ATR 72-600 aircraft, cabin baggage is restricted to 7 kg (standard dimensions), with checked luggage allowances typically set at 15 kg for domestic regional routes. Oversized carry-on luggage may be gate-checked free of charge prior to boarding.
Connecting to Metro Airports: When transferring from a FLY91 regional flight to a long-haul international flight at major hubs like Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), or Bengaluru (BLR), allow a minimum connection window of 2.5 to 3 hours to complete baggage reclaim, terminal transfer, and international check-in.

Infrastructure Impact Assessment

FLY91's record US$1 billion fleet commitment signals a transformative phase for India's regional economic infrastructure. By establishing direct air links between tier-2 and tier-3 cities—such as regional manufacturing hubs, cultural centers, and state capitals—the airline integrates remote regional economies into the national commercial mainstream.

Furthermore, the expansion provides a critical execution vehicle for the Government of India's ₹28,840 crore UDAN 2.0 scheme, proving that private airline capital and public infrastructure funding can successfully align to build sustainable, accessible regional air transport for Bharat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft did FLY91 order from ATR in 2026?

FLY91 signed a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft valued at approximately US$1 billion, making it the largest order for ATR aircraft in history.

What is the UDAN 2.0 framework supporting FLY91's expansion?

UDAN 2.0 is the Indian government's regional connectivity scheme backed by a ₹28,840 crore investment aimed at building regional airport infrastructure and subsidizing air routes to connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

How big is FLY91's current fleet and route network?

In two and a half years of operations, FLY91 has operated over 15,000 flights. It currently flies six ATR 72-600 aircraft operating nearly 280 weekly flights across 12 destinations, with its 13th city launching in September 2026.

Why is the ATR 72-600 suited for regional Indian airports?

The ATR 72-600 requires shorter runways (under 1,200 meters), burns up to 45% less fuel than regional jets, and offers low operating costs, allowing airlines to serve smaller regional airfields economically.