Goa's FLY91 gets more wings, adds 2 ATR aircraft to its fleet

A year after its launch, FLY91 has become India’s first regional airline to purchase two ATR aircraft, marking a key milestone in its steady expansion and focus on connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities
FLY91 has become India’s first regional airline to purchase two ATR aircraft.
FLYING HIGH: A year since its launch, FLY91 marks a milestone by becoming India’s first regional airline to simultaneously purchase two ATR aircraft.Photo: Fly91
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It’s been a year since FLY91 began commercial operations from Goa, with its maiden flight taking off from Goa, and the island of Lakshadweep as its destination. And, the past year has seen many memorable milestones in its aviation journey with the carrier seeing an increasing number of domestic travellers.

FLY91 has become India’s first regional airline to purchase two ATR aircraft.
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Having completed its first year of operations in March 2025, FLY91 has operated over 3,500 flights and carried close to 1.7 lakh passengers. The airline has consistently maintained a schedule of over 100 weekly flights, with increased frequencies scheduled for the peak summer travel period. 

FLY91’s third aircraft has now joined its fleet, while a fourth is expected to be delivered shortly. 

The airline has consistently maintained a schedule of over 100 weekly flights, with increased frequencies scheduled for the peak summer travel period. 

This landmark twin purchase marks a significant milestone in India’s regional aviation sector and signifies FLY91’s commitment to measured growth and the potential of regional aviation in the country.

While the airline’s first two ATRs were leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the new twin acquisition signals a strategic shift towards ownership and a long-term fleet expansion.

FLY91 has become India’s first regional airline to purchase two ATR aircraft.
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With the arrival of the third ATR 72-600, a 72-seater aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and suitability for short runways, FLY91 continues to connect tier 2, tier 3 and underserved regions.

In an innovative move, FLY91 has introduced hot food and beverages onboard, which can be pre-booked, becoming one of the few regional ATR operators in the world to do so. 

This landmark twin purchase marks a significant milestone in India’s regional aviation sector.

MD and CEO of FLY91, Manoj Chacko, shared his thoughts on these latest developments.

“The induction of our third ATR marks a significant milestone in our journey. More importantly, the decision to purchase two aircraft together is a deliberate move towards sustainable, dependable, and measured growth," said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91.

"As we expand, our focus remains on building an efficient and reliable network that truly connects Bharat,” he added.

FLY91 has become India’s first regional airline to purchase two ATR aircraft.
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The expanded fleet will support network growth beyond its current UDAN 5.0 routes that connect Sindhudurg, Jalgaon and Agatti with key hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Goa

Looking ahead, FLY91 plans to connect over 50 cities and induct 30 ATR aircraft over the next five years, with operations based across multiple regional hubs.

The expanded fleet will support network growth beyond its current UDAN 5.0 routes that connect Sindhudurg, Jalgaon and Agatti with key hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Goa. 

LOOKING AHEAD

FLY91, a pure play regional airline, based out of Goa’s Manohar International Airport (MIA), currently operates 100+ flights. It became the first regional airline in the country to simultaneously purchase two ATR 72-600 aircraft in a one-of-a-kind order.

Founded by industry veterans and backed by professional funding, FLY91 is committed to enhancing last mile air connectivity and is expected to connect over 50 cities across India in the next five years.

As part of this plan, FLY91 plans to induct 30 aircraft into its fleet which will be based at multiple hubs across the country. This vision is reflected in its selection of ATR 72-600 aircraft, a robust and established choice for safe, efficient and sustainable operations for regional airlines globally.

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