Given the growth potential of the Indian market, a senior ATR official stated that the company anticipates an addition of 300 turboprops over the next decade.
A joint venture of Airbus and Leonardo, ATR produces turboprops accommodating up to 78 passengers, along with freighter variants.
Currently, 70 ATR aircraft are operational in India, primarily flown by IndiGo, Alliance Air, and FLY91.
ATR remains “very bullish” on the Indian market and is actively engaging with several operators, according to the company’s Managing Director and Head of Region Asia Pacific, Jean-Pierre Clercin, in a recent interview with PTI in the national capital.
While he did not disclose specific details, he mentioned that talks are ongoing with both scheduled and non-scheduled operators, including those already operating ATR aircraft.
India stands as one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, with an increasing number of airports and improved regional air connectivity.
Plans are underway to establish 50 more airports in the country within the next five years. Currently, there are over 160 operational airports.
”We are eager to explore further collaborations in India…,” he stated, adding that the company is also interested in partnerships with academic institutions.
In India, Clercin expressed that there is potential for an additional 300 turboprop aircraft over the next decade.
ATR has delivered 1,800 aircraft to 200 operators across 100 countries.
Regarding tariff uncertainties, Clercin remarked that it is difficult to predict the outcome.
”We aim, of course, not to impose higher or unrealistic prices to our airlines. However, the positive aspect is that our platform offers the most cost-effective operating model for the regional market,” he highlighted.
For a domestic market like India, which features many thin routes that can be traversed in an hour, he noted that operators will require more economical options such as ATR aircraft.
