This article is based on an official press release from ATR.

Manufacturers and FLY91 Secure 8-Year Global Maintenance Agreement to Support Regional Growth

Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR and Indian regional carrier FLY91 have announced the signing of a comprehensive Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). The eight-year deal, signed on January 29, 2026, covers the airline’s current fleet of four ATR 72-600 aircraft as well as two additional aircraft scheduled for Delivery in early 2026.

According to the official announcement from ATR, this agreement is designed to provide the Goa-based Startups with cost predictability and operational reliability as it scales its network across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India.

Scope of the Maintenance Agreement

The newly signed GMA encompasses a wide range of technical support services intended to minimize downtime and streamline supply chain logistics. Under the terms of the contract, ATR will provide repair, overhaul, and pooling services for Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), modular components that are essential for daily flight operations. Additionally, the agreement includes specialized maintenance for the aircraft propellers and access to a shared pool of spare parts.

For a relatively new entrant like FLY91, which commenced commercial operations in March 2024, securing direct support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a strategic move to mitigate the risks associated with global Supply-Chain volatility. The agreement utilizes a “standard exchange” service model, ensuring that unserviceable parts can be immediately swapped for serviceable ones to keep aircraft in the air.

Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, emphasized the financial and operational importance of the deal in a statement provided by ATR:

As a lean and cost-focused start-up, the visibility the GMA provides on future maintenance costs is critical for us. In our environment, it’s not just about operating the right aircraft, but about ensuring they are maintained to the highest standards.

Supporting Fleet Expansion

FLY91 currently operates four ATR 72-600 turboprops, with plans to expand the fleet to six by early 2026. The Airlines focuses on connecting underserved regional routes, often operating under the Indian government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme. By locking in maintenance costs now, the airline aims to stabilize its operating expenses before doubling down on capacity.

Stefano Marazzani, Senior Vice President of Customer Support and Services at ATR, noted that the agreement is tailored to support the airline’s ambitious growth trajectory:

The Global Maintenance Agreement delivers this value consistently, while also offering an ambitious airline like FLY91 the crucial benefit of cost visibility and control needed to scale operations smoothly.

AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Value of OEM Support

In the high-capital environment of commercial aviation, maintenance costs are often one of the most unpredictable variables for startup carriers. By entering into a “Power by the Hour” style agreement, where costs are calculated based on flight hours rather than individual repair events, FLY91 effectively converts fixed capital expenditures into variable operating costs.

We observe that this model is becoming increasingly standard for regional operators in India. For example, Alliance Air, a state-owned regional carrier, renewed a similar five-year GMA with ATR in late 2022. For FLY91, accessing ATR’s global lease stock eliminates the need to invest heavily in its own inventory of spare parts, preserving cash flow for route expansion and operational scaling. In a market where supply chain disruptions have plagued carriers since 2023, direct access to the manufacturer’s inventory offers a significant layer of operational security.

Sources

• ATR