Airbus has for the first time indicated it is open to having a final assembly line (FAL) in India for its 50% owned ATR regional aircraft, given the government’s push for enhancing aerial connectivity of small towns and cities. The European aerospace major is learnt to be in talks with stakeholders to see if a business case is made out for the same, reported Times of India's Saurabh Sinha.

Airbus has for the first time indicated it is open to having a final assembly line (FAL) in India for its 50% owned ATR regional aircraft, given the government’s push for enhancing aerial connectivity of small towns and cities. The European aerospace major is learnt to be in talks with stakeholders to see if a business case is made out for the same, reported Times of India's Saurabh Sinha.

ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, also has a strong footprint in India. IndiGo operates 50 of its turboprop aircraft, while Goa-based regional carrier FLY91 currently has six, with plans to double its fleet this year. Being similar in capacity to the C295, the ATR has up to 78 seats. Airbus has a significant supply chain already in place here. The A220 family aircraft doors are made by Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies and TASL makes bulk and cargo doors of the A320 family.

The government on Wednesday approved a revamped regional connectivity scheme (RCS) for 10 years with a budget of ₹28,840 crore. Under the plan, 100 airstrips will be upgraded into airports, and airlines will receive subsidies to operate RCS routes. With international travel and regional connectivity expected to drive the next phase of aviation growth after the surge in domestic traffic, Airbus is evaluating two key factors for setting up a proposed ATR final assembly line in India.