IndiGo to use ATR planes in a hub and spoke model

IndiGo's $1.3 bn order for 50 ATR-72 planes is the second biggest ever

IndiGo plans to use ATR-72 planes to feed its mainline network in a hub and spoke model.

On Tuesday IndiGo announced a provisional order for 50 ATR-72 planes valued at $ 1.3 billion at list prices. This is the second largest order of ATR-72 planes till date-the previous record order was from American Eagle airlines for 100 ATR-72 (50 firm plus 50 options) in 1990.

IndiGo expects deliveries to commence from 2017-end and will operate the aircraft on routes under regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and also other high demand short routes which are not a part of the scheme.

IndiGo is yet to