New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s aviation sector following recent operational disruptions faced by IndiGo, the government has cleared three new airlines to enter the market, signalling fresh competition and expanded connectivity in the coming years.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Al Hind Air, FlyExpress and Shankh Air, paving the way for their next regulatory milestone before commercial operations.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed the development in a post on X, saying he had met teams from all three aspiring carriers over the past week. While Shankh Air had received its NOC earlier, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress were cleared this week.
Cleared For Takeoff: India Greenlights New Airlines To Take To The Skies
Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received the okay from the government, with Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air already cleared and expected to begin operations in 2026.
Kerala’s alhind Group backs Al Hind… pic.twitter.com/k26B3Kb1Pa
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) December 24, 2025
Al Hind Air: Kerala-Based Group Enters Skies
Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala-headquartered Alhind Group, a major travel and tourism conglomerate with an estimated turnover of ₹20,000 crore. Founded in the 1990s in Calicut, the group operates over 130 offices globally across India, the Gulf and South Asia, and serves as a general sales agent for multiple international airlines.
The airline plans to begin operations with two to three ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, scaling up to seven within a year. Based at Cochin International Airport, its initial focus will be on domestic and regional routes such as Kochi–Bengaluru, Kochi–Mysuru and Kochi–Thiruvananthapuram–Chennai.
Within two years, Al Hind Air aims to expand to international routes, particularly to Gulf destinations, using Airbus A320 aircraft, with long-term plans for a fleet of around 20 planes. Industry estimates suggest the airline’s initial investment could range between ₹200 crore and ₹500 crore.
The leadership team includes T Ahmed Haris, director of the Alhind Group and a key figure in the Haj and Umrah travel sector, and PV Valsaraj, the group’s managing director with long-standing experience in aviation associations.
FlyExpress: Low-Profile but Cleared
Not much has been disclosed publicly about FlyExpress so far. The airline is reportedly backed by a Hyderabad-based courier and cargo services company and is expected to target niche domestic routes once regulatory approvals are completed.
Shankh Air: UP’s Full-Service Aspirant
Shankh Air, promoted by Shankh Aviation Private Limited, plans to position itself as Uttar Pradesh’s leading full-service airline. The carrier intends to operate from Noida International Airport, connecting cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur with major metros including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The airline is chaired and managed by Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, who recently met the Civil Aviation Minister to outline the company’s roadmap. Shankh Air expects to launch flight operations in the first quarter of 2026 and aims to scale its fleet to 20–25 aircraft over the next two to three years.
Regulatory Hurdle Still Ahead
While the NOC marks an important step, the airlines must now secure an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation before carrying passengers. The AOC process involves rigorous scrutiny of financial strength, aircraft availability, trained crew, safety systems and successful completion of test flights.
The entry of new players comes at a time when India’s fast-growing aviation market is seeking greater resilience and competition, with policymakers hoping fresh capacity will strengthen connectivity, stabilise operations and offer passengers more choice in the skies.
