Aircraft leasing company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) signed long-term lease agreements for 10 ATR 72-600 aircraft with Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India.

The aircraft are scheduled to deliver throughout 2017 and will be used to grow Alliance’s network and to serve underserved or unserved airports throughout India as part of the Indian Government’s focus on regional air access through the Regional Connectivity Scheme. Alliance Air is one of five airlines selected to serve routes under this scheme.

DAE is among the world’s leading lessors of ATR 72-600 aircraft and has 57 owned and committed ATR72-600s in its fleet. ATR, a France-based aircraft maker, manufactures two sizes of turboprop aircraft, the 70-seat ATR 72 and the 50-seat ATR 42. The firm has sold more than 1,500 aircraft and has over 200 operators in more than 100 countries.

“We are delighted to welcome Alliance Air as our newest customer,” said Firoz Tarapore, chief executive of DAE.

“DAE is pleased to support Alliance Air’s growth ambitions and its efforts to be the first airline to start operations under the Regional Connectivity Scheme … which should further promote regional growth and make flying affordable for the masses.”