ATR is targeting delivery of 10-15 aircraft to Indian airlines annually for the next five years said ATRs Asia-Pacific Head of Sales, Mr Jean-Pierre Clercin. ATR-72 is the third most popular aircraft type in India after Airbus A320/321. Currently there are 66 ATR-72 turboprop planes in the country, flown by Alliance Air and IndiGo.
Turboprop aircraft, specifically the ATR 72 and 42, play a significant role in India’s domestic air travel, catering to regional routes and challenging airstrips. The number of ATR aircraft in India has increased by 120% in the last decade, indicating rising demand for regional air travel.
While the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 often hog the limelight when it comes to India’s domestic operations, the contribution of smaller turboprops is significant in its own way.
Currently, IndiGo and Alliance Air are the only two Indian airlines operating ATR aircraft commercially. IndiGo has more than 40 ATR 72-600 planes in its fleet, which have helped it expand significantly in India’s regional market.
Over the last ten years (from 2013 to 2023), the number of ATR aircraft in India has seen a massive 120% increase. During this period, ATR delivered 75 planes to Indian airlines, highlighting the growing demand for regional air travel.
ATR aims to continue its strong presence in India. While an exact figure for this year’s deliveries remains unspecified, ATR has set a larger target for the next five years to deliver 10-15 aircraft annually to Indian carriers, emphasizing regional connectivity and growth.
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