Fly91 (IC, Goa Dabolim) plans to up to double its fleet from six ATR72-600s to between 10 and 12 aircraft by the first quarter of 2027, managing director and chief executive Manoj Chacko told The Hindu Business Line newspaper.

The additional aircraft would enable Fly91 to expand capacity from its operating bases at Goa Mopa and Hyderabad International.

Chacko described the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop as a highly suitable aircraft type amid volatile fuel prices, citing its fuel efficiency. Operating a single aircraft type has also allowed the airline to maintain a "simpler operation".

"The industry continues to grapple with elevated fuel costs. However, our ATR operations allow us to maintain a fuel-to-revenue ratio of 20-22%, compared with 38-40% for operators using jet aircraft," he said.

The chief executive previously told ch-aviation that the carrier aimed to grow its fleet to 30 aircraft by 2030. Estimating that more than half of India is "turboprop country", he said the airline is focused on launching services to destinations that competitors cannot serve with narrowbodies.

Fly91 plans to add flights to Tirupati, Mangalore Bajpe, Indore, and yet-to-open Bhogapuram airport from its existing bases by the first quarter of 2027. It also intends to add flights to Mumbai International but has faced challenges securing slots for its planned Malvan service.

The start-up airline, which raised USD25 million before commencing operations in March 2024, achieved profitability in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, Chacko noted that financial performance had weakened in the following quarter.

"The induction of capacity in [the first quarter of 2026] dragged profitability lower due to higher expenses," he said.

The carrier operates largely independently, with minimal reliance on viability gap funding (VGF) under the Indian government's UDAN regional connectivity programme. Chacko added that demand remains strong for regional operators and expects growth to continue in the coming quarters.