Tag Archives: ATR

Open for opportunities to source components from India: ATR

India is the main market that offers a lot of potential and ATR is open for opportunities in terms of sourcing components from the country, according to a senior official of the European aircraft maker.

ATR, a joint venture between European aeronautics players Airbus and Leonardo, manufactures turboprops with up to 78 seats as well as freighters.

IndiGo and two regional carriers — Alliance Air and FLY91 — operate ATR planes that are used for regional flight operations.
ATR’s Chief Commercial Officer Alexis Vidal told PTI in a recent interview that the company is looking at India as the main market and the country’s regional air connectivity is very promising.

Currently, nearly 70 ATR planes are in operation in India and worldwide, the company has delivered around 1,700 aircraft.
“We believe there is a potential in India for another 200 aircraft in the coming decade… All this, I believe very well supported by policy making… will drive additional aircraft into the country,” he said and added that ATR is very eager to innovate and understand what the Indian ecosystem can offer.

India is one of the world’s fastest growing civil aviation markets and domestic air traffic is on the rise while more Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are also getting air connectivity.

According to him, there is a potential to have 300 new routes in the country with ATR planes.

Globally, ATR planes are being operated by around 200 operators in 100 countries, a vast majority of them being smaller operators.
“There is a lot of potential in India to partner… we don’t have any major Tier 1 suppliers coming from India… having been in India for 25 years and looking at the next 25 years, we believe considering… sourcing more parts from India.

“… as a partner for local manufacturing and as a partner of choice for regional aircraft manufacturing, we are looking at the potential opportunities for sourcing components whenever it makes sense,” Vidal said in the interview in the national capital.
To a question on whether ATR expects orders from existing or new clients, Vidal said it could be a combination of both.
Generally, regional air route refers to those within 400 nautical miles.

“90 per cent of intra city trips are happening within 400 nautical miles, which is 750 kilometres… 97 per cent is cars, buses and rails which leaves only 3 per cent for air transportation. That is where you realise the potential of India. If you benchmark that against other places in Europe and Asia, that number will be double or triple.

“From 3 per cent regional connectivity to 6 or 9 per cent will be a tremendous increase in air transportation for regional aircraft in India,” Vidal said.

Given the potential of the market in India and the relevance of ATR as a product, he said it is quite natural that the company is entertaining discussions with different parties for the purpose of serving the customers and enabling common man of India to fly.
On whether eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft could be a challenge, Vidal said it will be complementary.

“It will complement… I look at intra city regional mobility… in the last five years, 200 routes have been opened by ATR and some of them have upgraded to larger jets. That is the success that our aircraft is allowing airlines and governments to create routes, connectivity… I really see urban, regional and non-regional domestic as three complimentary segments. We are the centre piece of that,” he said. (Source: PTI)

 

Tuticorin Airport new terminal & runway extension to be completed by year end

The Tuticorin Airport in Tamil Nadu is undergoing major upgradation, which includes extending the runway for operation of A-321 type aircraft, building a new apron, terminal building, technical block-cum-control tower, and fire station at a cost of INR 381 crore.

M. Suresh, Chairman, AAI, visited the Tuticorin airport project site on Saturday and reviewed the ongoing upgradation works. He said the terminal and runway extension work will be completed by December.

Spread over an area of 17,500 sq m, the airport’s new terminal building will serve 1,440 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually. The new building will be equipped with all the modern facilities and passenger amenities, including three aerobridges, says a release issued by the Tuticorin Airport.

The airport development project also includes an extension of the existing runway from 1350 m to 3,115 m, making the airport suitable for the operation of A-321 type of aircraft. Construction of new ATC tower cum technical block, fire station, extension of apron for parking of five Airbus-321 type of aircraft, isolation bay. Link Taxi track and Part Parallel Taxi Track is also part of the project.

The airport is currently connected to Chennai and Bengaluru, with six daily flights. It is capable of serving 156 passengers during peak hours, three lakh passengers annually, and handling ATR types of aircraft.

In aviation, our focus lies on air transportation, not hospitality: Manoj Chacko

The Goa Tourism Department and Just Udo Aviation Private Limited (Fly91) forged a strategic partnership at the recently-concluded GITM 2024.

Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Manoj Chacko, MD & CEO, Fly91, said that they are focused on responsible travel and sustainable tourism. “Goa has always been an inbound destination. Our commitment is to connect India in a way that has never been done before. We want to provide better options for the people of Goa to travel,” said Chacko.

When asked about his decision to enter the aviation industry amid its challenges, he responded, “It’s not as dire as it seems. I’ve always believed that when aviation professionals transition into entrepreneurship, they often establish successful airlines. Look at IndiGo, for instance. An aviation professional from India founded it, and after 18 years, it boasts one of the highest market caps globally. Similarly, David Neeleman in the US has successfully launched multiple airlines. There are numerous examples like these.”

He also said, “For us, aviation is about air transportation not hospitality. There are many airlines that have made that mistake.”

The airline has started its operation last month with flights on the Goa-Bengaluru route. The carrier will commence operations between Goa-Agatti-Goa, Goa-Jalgaon-Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad, starting April 18, 2024. The new routes will establish direct connectivity between these destinations, offering travellers enhanced accessibility, increased flight options. The airline presently operates two ATR 72-600 aircraft with more aircraft expected in the coming months

Alliance Air connects Bilaspur to Delhi & Kolkata

 

On Tuesday, Alliance Air, operated by the Central Government, initiated flight services from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh to Delhi and Kolkata. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai virtually flagged off the inaugural flights from Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport in Bilaspur. Speaking at the event, Sai highlighted the fulfillment of a long-pending demand for the people of Bilaspur, emphasising PM Narendra Modi’s commitment to enabling air travel for everyone. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to upgrade Bilaspur airport, with plans to introduce night landing facilities soon.

Additionally, air services from Jagdalpur to Jabalpur commenced on the same day, benefiting the people of Bastar region and fostering business and tourism opportunities. The Alliance Air ATR 72-seater aircraft will operate these flights three days a week.

ATR eyes India as its leading market in the next decade

Jean-Pierre Clercin, the Head of Commercial for Asia Pacific at ATR, shared the company’s expectation that India will emerge as its leading market in the next 10 years. ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, has witnessed a significant surge in demand for its aircraft in India, coinciding with the country’s 6% growth in tourist arrivals in 2023.

India currently hosts 67 operational ATR planes, with major carriers such as IndiGo, Alliance Air, and Fly91 utilizing these aircraft for regional travel, linking smaller cities and towns. Renowned for their seating capacities ranging from 70 to 80 and a range of 1,500 km, ATR planes have played a crucial role in meeting the rising demand for regional air travel in India.

Clercin emphasized that the average age of ATR planes in India is the lowest globally, underscoring the strategic significance of the Indian market for the aviation industry. With India currently ranking among the top three countries globally in terms of the number of ATR aircraft, Clercin expressed confidence that India would secure the top position within the next decade, surpassing countries such as Indonesia and Brazil.

Addressing the potential demand for turboprop planes in India over the next 10-20 years, Clercin estimated a range of 50 to 150 planes based on official estimates. However, he hinted that the actual demand might surpass these projections, emphasising the growing need for enhanced connectivity in secondary cities.

While discussions about additional orders with IndiGo were not confirmed, Clercin underscored the pivotal role of expanding connectivity in regional areas. This aligns with the government’s focus on enhancing regional connectivity under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.

Govt allocates INR 11,158cr for Alliance Air

Alliance Air, the only government-owned airline has got a boost in the Budget with the government allocating an investment of INR 1,158 crore into the company for FY 25.

The government had allocated INR 1,174 crore in last Budget but subsequently infused another round of INR 600 crore.

Currently, the airline operates 57 domestic and one international destination with its fleet comprising 18 ATR72-600 aircraft, two ATR 42-600 aircraft, and one Dornier Do-228. The airline’s second ‘Made in India Dornier’ aircraft is expected to be inducted shortly.
The airline is a major operator of flights under the UDAN (regional air connectivity) scheme, operating around 60 flights daily.