The company is “very bullish” on the Indian market and sees potential for as many as 300 turboprop aircraft in India over the next 10 years, says Jean-Pierre, describing the country as a critical market where “a lot of new pages” are yet to be written in the company’s growth story. ATR, a European turboprop aircraft manufacturer and a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, is very bullish on the Indian aviation market, which is the world’s third-largest and fastest-growing major market. Clercin sees potential for as many as 300 ATR turboprop aircraft to be sold in India over the next 10 years, driven by expanding regional connectivity and the government’s UDAN scheme, which fosters air links to smaller cities and underserved routes.
He highlighted that India is currently ATR’s second-largest market globally, with around 70 aircraft already operated by Indian carriers such as IndiGo, Alliance Air, and FLY91. ATR’s turboprops are seen as well-suited for India’s short-haul routes due to their fuel efficiency, operational cost-effectiveness, and ability to operate from smaller, regional airports with shorter runways. While ATR currently operates manufacturing hubs in Europe, the company is considering expanding its footprint in India, leveraging the existing investments by its parent companies in the country’s aerospace supply chain. These strategic moves align closely with India’s “Make in India” initiative and growing demand for regional aviation.