ATR, a European aircraft manufacturer, is exploring opportunities to source aircraft components from India, recognizing the country’s potential in the aviation sector, according to a senior company official. ATR is a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, specializing in turboprop aircraft with up to 78 seats and freighters.
IndiGo, Alliance Air, and FLY91 currently operate ATR aircraft for regional flight services in India. Alexis Vidal, ATR’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted India as a key market, noting the strong prospects for regional air connectivity.
With nearly 70 ATR planes currently flying in India and around 1,700 delivered globally, Vidal sees India as a significant market for future growth. He projected the potential for an additional 200 ATR aircraft in India over the next decade, driven by supportive government policies and increased regional connectivity.
As one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets, India is seeing a rise in domestic air travel, with more Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities gaining access to air services. Vidal also mentioned the possibility of developing 300 new routes in India that could be served by ATR planes.
The company operates globally with around 200 operators in 100 countries, mainly serving smaller regional airlines. The company is keen on partnering with India for local component sourcing and possibly regional aircraft manufacturing. Though it currently lacks major Tier 1 suppliers from India, Vidal expressed interest in expanding collaborations over the next 25 years.
Discussing new business prospects, Vidal noted that the company is open to orders from both existing and new clients, with regional air routes typically covering distances within 400 nautical miles (750 kilometers). He emphasized that 90% of intra-city trips in India occur within this range, but only 3% are by air, highlighting significant growth potential for air transportation in the country.
Vidal also sees eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft as a complement, rather than a competitor, to ATR’s regional planes. He praised the success of ATR aircraft in creating new air routes in India, some of which have since transitioned to larger jets. The company continues to engage in discussions to meet the growing demand for regional air travel and improve connectivity across India.
