IndiGo celebrates 5 years of enhancing regional connectivity through ATR operations
IndiGo, India’s leading airline, completed 5 years of operating ATR aircraft on December 21, 2022. IndiGo had inducted its first ATR 72-600 aircraft in 2017 with an aim to strengthen regional air connectivity across India. Over the past 5 years the fleet and network has grown, and the airline is currently serving 52 destinations with a fleet of 36 ATR aircraft. This network also serves the Government of India’s UDAN “Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik” mission with multiple flights to Shillong, Kolhapur, Prayagraj, Agra, and Deogarh etc. The UDAN mission is aimed at connecting small and medium towns to larger cities by air.
Capt. Ashim Mittra, Senior Vice President: Flight Operations said, “We are proud to have successfully completed 5 years of our ATR operations on December 21, 2022. Since our first ATR flight from Hyderabad to Mangaluru in 2017, we have served over 14 million passengers till date. We are committed to building air connectivity across India and offering affordable & convenient travel for the masses. IndiGo will continue to partner with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and provide greater regional connectivity and make air travel possible even to the most remote parts of India.”
Today, an ATR aircraft in the IndiGo fleet serves an average 8 sectors. IndiGo currently operates 276 daily flights through its ATR fleet. The airline has also recently introduced multiple flights with its ATR aircraft to station such as Pantnagar, Kadapa, Jabalpur, and Kurnool etc., opening new routes for trade and increasing connectivity.
The ATR 72-600 aircraft flying with IndiGo have a seating capacity of 78 passengers. The aircraft is designed for use from shorter runways and can take off using just 1315m of runway, and capable to land within 915m. With a range exceeding 1300 km, it is ideal for short to medium haul operations.