Indian Regional Alliance Air Adds ATR 42s To Fleet For Himalayan Routes

Indian regional carrier Alliance Air has signed a deal to acquire two ATR 42-600s via lessor TrueNoord, with deliveries to start in the middle of this year.

Alliance Air, a former Air India regional subsidiary that is now government owned, has 18 ATR 72-600s operating more than 125 daily flights to over 50 destinations within India. The airline said the new aircraft will be able to operate on the short runways at Himalayan airports in Shimla and Kullu, which are both located at high altitudes and exposed to high temperatures.

The ATR 42 lease was announced at the Singapore Airshow, a rare new aircraft deal at a show that has seen subdued activity in the commercial sector as the Asia-Pacific region continues its long recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

The Indian government is looking to connect its most inaccessible regions by air. In 2021, 40 new routes were created with ATR aircraft.

“The fact that we will deliver the aircraft by the middle of this year is testament both to the recovery of the Indian domestic market and the essential need for affordable and reliable connectivity throughout the country,” ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli said.

For regional aircraft leasing specialist TrueNoord, these will be the third and fourth ATR 42s added to its portfolio. The lessor bought two ATR 42-600s in December that are being placed with U.S. regional Silver Airways.