Goa-headquartered pure play regional airline FLY91 has announced the leasing of two ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), a UAE-headquartered global aviation services provider, as it prepares to expand services in its home base in Goa and strengthen regional connectivity.
The two brand-new aircraft are scheduled for delivery later this month from ATR’s manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. Following induction, FLY91 will enhance capacity, increase frequencies across its existing routes, and expand operations to Dabolim Airport in Goa, as well as Hubballi (Karnataka), Vijayawada and Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), and Nanded (Maharashtra). The regional airline headquartered in Goa operates from the Manohar International Airport which is its home base.
With the addition of these aircraft, FLY91’s fleet strength will increase to six. The expansion aligns with the airline’s strategy to deepen connectivity across India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, while broadening its operations in Goa and adding to travel options to the popular coastal tourism destination.
“This transaction reinforces our commitment to building a resilient and scalable regional airline through measured growth. The ATR 72-600 is integral to our operational philosophy, offering an optimal balance of efficiency, reliability and performance for short-haul regional routes. Partnering once again with DAE enables us to expand our fleet while maintaining financial discipline and capital efficiency,” said Manoj Chacko, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, FLY91.
FLY91 had earlier inducted its first two aircraft through DAE.
The ATR 72-600 remains the cornerstone of FLY91’s fleet strategy, offering proven turboprop economics, short take-off and landing capabilities, and performance ideally suited for operations at secondary and underserved airports.
Since commencing commercial operations in March 2024, FLY91 has steadily built a regional network connecting Goa’s Manohar International Airport with destinations such as Solapur, Jalgaon and Agatti in the Lakshadweep Islands, while also providing connectivity to key urban hubs including Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, as well as emerging regional centres such as Sindhudurg.
