ATR has strengthened its long-term relationship with India’s emerging regional carrier Fly91 after both sides agreed to an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) covering the airline’s turboprop fleet. The renewed deal builds on a partnership that has been in place since Fly91 launched operations in 2024 and reflects the airline’s shift from start-up mode toward steady, planned growth.
Fly91 currently operates four ATR 72-600 aircraft. Two additional aircraft are scheduled to enter service in early 2026, taking the fleet to six as the airline looks to deepen its presence across India’s regional air network. The extended maintenance agreement is intended to support that expansion by providing long-term cost certainty and technical reliability as utilisation continues to rise.
From Launch Support to Long-Term Planning
Since May 2024, Fly91 has relied on ATR’s Global Maintenance Agreement to support its early operations. The package includes access to lease stock, standard exchange and repair of line-replaceable units (LRUs), and comprehensive propeller availability and maintenance. These services have helped the airline maintain dispatch reliability during its first years of flying, when operational resilience is often tested most.
Nearly two years into service, Fly91’s aircraft are now flying more than 2,500 hours per year on average, a utilisation level that reflects strong demand but also places greater pressure on maintenance planning. As utilisation increases, so does exposure to unplanned costs—something the airline has sought to address by extending and updating the scope of its agreement with ATR.
By locking in an eight-year GMA, Fly91 gains predictable maintenance costs over the medium term, allowing management to plan fleet growth and network development with greater financial confidence.
Cost Control at the Core of the Model
For Fly91, maintenance strategy is closely tied to its broader business model. Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fly91, has stressed that cost visibility is essential for a lean regional carrier operating in a price-sensitive market.
Rather than treating maintenance as a variable expense, the airline views long-term agreements as a way to stabilise its cost base while maintaining high technical standards. That balance is critical for a carrier focused on reliability, particularly as it serves smaller cities where schedule disruptions can quickly erode passenger confidence.
The GMA structure allows Fly91 to convert unpredictable maintenance events into planned, manageable costs—supporting both operational consistency and long-term financial sustainability.
ATR’s Expanding Support Role
For ATR, the agreement highlights the growing importance of customer support and services alongside aircraft sales. As regional airlines scale up in markets like India, long-term maintenance partnerships have become an increasingly important part of the value proposition.
Stefano Marazzani, Senior Vice President for Customer Support and Services at ATR, noted that the Global Maintenance Agreement is designed to give airlines the cost control and operational confidence needed to expand smoothly. For fast-growing operators such as Fly91, that stability can be a decisive factor as fleets and networks grow in parallel.
Riding India’s Regional Aviation Wave
The timing of the extended agreement aligns with broader developments in India’s aviation sector. Improved airport infrastructure and a policy focus on regional connectivity are creating new opportunities for airlines operating smaller aircraft. Many domestic routes fall squarely within the range where turboprops offer clear advantages in terms of efficiency and economics.
Aircraft such as the ATR 72-600 are increasingly seen as well suited to linking secondary and tertiary cities, where demand may not justify larger jets but where reliable air service can transform connectivity. As new routes open and frequencies increase, airlines like Fly91 are positioned to play a meaningful role in expanding access to air travel.
A Stable Platform for the Next Phase
In a market evolving as quickly as India’s, long-term maintenance planning has become a strategic tool rather than a background consideration. Fly91’s decision to extend its Global Maintenance Agreement reflects a recognition that growth must be supported by strong technical foundations and disciplined cost management.
As additional aircraft join the fleet and the network continues to develop, the eight-year agreement provides a stable platform for the airline’s next phase. For ATR, it reinforces a growing presence in one of the world’s most promising regional aviation markets—one where turboprops, reliability, and long-term partnerships are increasingly shaping the future of domestic air travel.
For more on ATR, see: Binter Deepens Maintenance Partnership with ATR in Five-Year Fleet Support Deal
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