Fly91 (IC, Goa Dabolim) is to increase weekly flights by more than 26% for the IATA northern winter season, marking the regional carrier's largest route expansion since it launched operations.

The airline, which recently inducted its sixth ATR72-600, says it will operate 354 flights per week, up from 280 previously while growing its network to 14 destinations, online finance e-paper Business Today reported.

Under the new schedule, it will add Navi Mumbai International to its route network as well as offer "significantly enhanced" connectivity to Tirupati, the report said.

CEO Manoj Chacko said Fly91 had launched services to Tirupati in September in response to "robust" passenger demand. The expanding network also means the airline can improve aircraft utilisation and realise stronger operating efficiencies, Chacko told Business Today.

The development comes shortly after Fly91 confirmed that it had ordered forty ATR72-600s in a USD1 billion deal aimed at expanding its fleet. The order is in line with the carrier's five-year programme in which it plans to grow its fleet from six of the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops currently to more than 50 aircraft.

As ch-aviation previously reported, the airline is seeking to raise INR1.5 billion rupees (USD15.6 million) to fund the acquisition.

Fly91 provides connections to underserved regional airports under the Indian government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme. ch-aviation data shows it currently operates 18 routes but plans to connect 50 cities within the next five years.