IndiGo to buy 50 ATR planes; eyes regional aviation market

New Delhi: IndiGo plans to purchase 50 ATR turbo-prop aircraft and start operations with these planes by year end as the no-frills airline looks to tap the regional aviation market.

This would be the first time that the leading carrier would be acquiring ATR 72-600 planes, which generally have a seating capacity for 70 people.

While announcing the quarterly results today, IndiGo said it has signed a term sheet with Avions de Transport Regional GIE (ATR) for purchasing 50 ATR 72-600 aircraft with the "flexibility to reduce the number of aircraft deliveries based on certain conditions".

The term sheet is subject to reaching a mutually satisfactory final purchase agreement with ATR and the engine manufacturer, it said in a release.

"Assuming that both the intended final purchase agreement are reached, IndiGo plans to launch its turbo-prop operation at the end of calendar 2017 and expects to induct up to 20 ATR aircraft by December 2018," the release said. IndiGo President and Whole Time Director Aditya Ghosh said that in support of UDAN mission,

"we are embarking on a journey to build a nation-wide regional network and connect cities that have not benefitted from the growth in Indian aviation".

The government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme seek to connect un-served and under-served airport as well as make flying more affordable to the masses.