In just over a year, India’s newest regional carrier, FLY91, has become a rising force in connecting communities often overlooked by larger airlines.

Since its launch in March 2024, Goa-based FLY91 has leaned into smart fleet choices — operating efficient ATR turboprops to open up underserved routes. The results speak for themselves: four aircraft, eight destinations, 3,500+ flights, and over 180,000 passengers carried — all in 16 months.

By Jarryd Sinovich

A standout example is the bold launch of the Goa–Agatti route, the first commercial air link to India’s remote Lakshadweep archipelago. This single connection hasn’t just boosted island tourism — it’s brought vital supplies, medical goods, and economic lifelines to communities that previously depended on unreliable sea routes, especially during the monsoon season.

“With our ATRs, we could take risks and invest in routes the big players ignore,” says Manoj Chacko, CEO of FLY91. “Regional connectivity changes lives and supports inclusive growth.”

FLY91’s success shows the power of right-sized aircraft, efficient operations, and a bold mindset. By venturing into overlooked markets and proving them sustainable, this startup is helping India push regional air mobility far beyond its current 3% share — still far behind Europe and parts of Asia.

The goal is big: grow to 30 ATRs by 2030 and help make affordable air travel an everyday reality for millions more Indians.

For a country built on diversity and distant communities, airlines like FLY91 are proving that regional aviation is more than just a route map — it’s a bridge to economic opportunity, social inclusion, and national unity.