Nahyan bin Mubarak witnesses the addition of two new aircraft to the company’s fleet "FLY91" In Dubai

DUBAI, 23 February, 2017 (WAM) – His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, witnessed the joining of two new ATR 72-600 aircraft to the fleet of the Indian regional airline FLY91, during an official ceremony held at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC), in the presence of leaders of the aviation sector in the UAE and India, in a step that confirms the strength of the growing partnership in the aviation sector between the two countries.

The handover and inspection ceremony of the two new aircraft, which join the growing FLY91 fleet, marking a new phase of cooperation between the company and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), took place in the presence of Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91. Chinna Reddy, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer; Harsha Raghavan, Chairman of FLY91 and Managing Partner at Convergent Finance; Firoz Tarapore, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE); Jean-Pierre Clairsen, President of the Asia Pacific Region at ATR, along with a number of senior officials and representatives of FLY91, DAE and ATR.

The two ATR 72-600 aircraft, which were acquired from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), are a qualitative addition to the company’s fleet and will be operated across underserved Indian regional markets, in line with FLY91’s long-term strategy to provide sustainable and comprehensive air connectivity.

The event brought together government officials and aviation sector leaders, reflecting the UAE’s role as a global center of excellence in the aviation sector and international cooperation.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan gave a speech on this occasion, in which he said: I am pleased to join you today as we celebrate the delivery and exclusive inspection of two new “ATR 72-600” aircraft that join the growing “FLY91” fleet. The “ATR 72-600” aircraft is known worldwide for its efficiency, reliability, and outstanding performance, and is perfectly suited to serve the communities that FLY91 seeks to serve.

Maayeh added that the joining of the two aircraft brings the number of aircraft in the “FLY91” fleet to six aircraft since the start of its operations in March 2024, stressing that the company, in just two years, has proven what can be achieved through clarity of vision, disciplined growth, and a firm commitment to serving communities.

He explained that the company’s vision to connect more than 50 cities across India within five years, supported by a plan to introduce 30 aircraft, reflects bold leadership with a future outlook, noting that this represents, in essence, a contribution to building the nation through aviation, enhancing economic inclusion, and unleashing the potential of emerging cities in various parts of India.

His Excellency pointed out that DAE has grown to become one of the most prominent aviation service providers in the world, pointing out that its business model is based on a firm conviction that its success strengthens societies, improves the quality of life, and contributes to social and economic development regionally and globally.

He stressed that its partnership with FLY91 is not just a business transaction, but rather an expression of its commitment to empowering the aviation sector and promoting responsible and sustainable growth.

His Excellency said: Today we also celebrate the strong and close relations between the UAE and the Republic of India, stressing that the deep and rooted ties of the two countries are based on trust, trade, partnerships, human ties, and a shared belief in development and progress, and the aviation sector plays a pivotal role in this relationship by linking markets, investors, tourists and families, expressing his confidence that the successful partnership between the two countries will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.

His Excellency stressed that Dubai represents the most appropriate place to celebrate this occasion, explaining that the UAE is considered one of the global leaders in the aviation sector, and is known for its excellence in services, reliability, safety, and commitment to ethical values.

He added that the advanced infrastructure, advanced regulatory environment, and openness to innovation have made the UAE a global center for aviation partnerships.

His Excellency stressed that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” always emphasizes that the UAE must be a country fully engaged with the world, participating in global progress, promoting innovation, and establishing meaningful international partnerships.

He added that His Highness’s enlightened vision for the country’s present and future enjoys strong support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” noting that the wise leadership recognizes the enormous potential for innovation and global cooperation in various fields of humanitarian work, and that sustainable investment in infrastructure and human capital has contributed to consolidating the country’s position regionally and globally.

His Excellency said that today’s occasion goes beyond the aircraft themselves and is related to ambition, innovation, partnership and leadership in serving communities.

His Excellency praised Harsha Raghavan, Manoj Chacko, and their team at FLY91 for the clarity of their strategic direction and to all FLY91 employees — pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground teams — and said that each aircraft represents new responsibilities and new opportunities to serve passengers with dedication and excellence.

He praised Fayrouz Tarapore and his team at DAE, expressing his appreciation for their commitment to innovation and building partnerships that serve the public good, wishing them continued success.

His Excellency expressed his hope that the two new aircraft would fly safely and proudly, serve communities looking forward to greater communication, and symbolize a future in which partnership, vision and determination continue to raise everyone to broader horizons. He congratulated FLY91 and DAE on this achievement, and hoped that it would be one of many stations in the process of sustainable growth and joint success.

For his part, Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said: We are honored to have two new aircraft join our fleet in Dubai, which represents a global model for infrastructure, services and partnerships in the aviation sector. This achievement reinforces our commitment to building the most reliable regional airline in India, while deepening our cooperation with leading institutions in the UAE. As we expand, our focus remains focused on disciplined and sustainable growth, to ensure that each new aircraft contributes to enhancing connectivity. Reliability and long-term value to the communities we serve.

Harsha Raghavan, Chairman of FLY91 and Managing Partner at Convergent Finance, said: The UAE has demonstrated its continued leadership in building a world-class aviation ecosystem and our participation here reflects a shared belief in responsible growth, technical excellence and long-term value creation. As FLY91 continues to expand, such partnerships will remain a key focus of our strategy.

Firoz Tarapore, CEO of DAE, said: “We are pleased to support FLY91’s continued expansion in enhancing regional connectivity across India, and the ATR 72-600 aircraft are highly suited to developing regional markets efficiently and sustainably.” This joining confirms DAE’s commitment to working with airlines that build solid aviation platforms with a vision for the future.

Nathalie Tarno Lode, CEO of ATR, said: India is entering a strong phase of growth in the aviation sector, where regional connectivity plays a pivotal role, and the ATR 72-600 aircraft are an ideal choice to connect small and unserved destinations efficiently and sustainably. This partnership also highlights the strength of Indo-French cooperation in the field of aviation, as Dubai continues to play its role as an important global center for cooperation and industry development.

FLY91 currently operates flights to nine destinations within India including: Mopa (Goa), Agatti, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi, enhancing connectivity between emerging regional hubs. Before the end of March 2026, the company will expand its network with the launch of six additional destinations: Rajahmundry and Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Hubballi (Karnataka), Nanded (Maharashtra), Dabolim (South Goa) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh), underscoring its commitment to orderly and sustainable regional growth.

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