ATR targets wider Asia-Pacific growth after FLY91 order

ATR plans to expand across Asia-Pacific after landing a firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft from Indian regional carrier FLY91. The manufacturer puts the deal at around $1 billion and calls it its largest in close to ten years.

Alexis Vidal, ATR's senior vice president commercial, said the order shows the turboprop maker's approach of enabling low-cost regional connectivity in underserved markets is working. It also signals where the company will focus future growth.

Vidal cited India's low share of air travel as evidence of untapped demand. Only about 3% of the country's 4.6 billion annual intercity journeys are made by air, he said, against seven to nine percent in other markets. That potential, he said, is part of ATR's position in India.

The FLY91 order follows years of Indian government policy under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, launched roughly a decade ago to encourage regional air travel in a country where road and rail have historically carried most intercity movement.

Vidal said supportive policy alone is not enough. He argued the ATR turboprop has the lowest cost per seat and per trip on short sectors, making it a practical tool for airlines and governments trying to turn regional connectivity plans into operations.