Government of India Approves Launch of Three New Airlines
The Government of India has approved the launch of three new airlines—Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress—after the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the carriers.
The announcement was made by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu via a post on X, where he highlighted the government’s efforts to encourage new airline entrants in India’s aviation sector.
The minister posted a tweet which said, “It has been endeavour of the ministry to encourage more airlines in Indian Aviation which is amongst the fastest growing aviation markets in the world owing to the policies of the government of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji. Schemes like UDAN, has enabled smaller carriers Star Air, India One Air, Fly91 etc. to play an important role in the regional connectivity within the country and there is more scope for further growth.”
Shankh Air, based in Uttar Pradesh, had received its NOC earlier and is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026. The airline will be operated by Shankh Aviation and is awaiting aircraft deliveries. According to reports, the company plans to expand its fleet to approximately 20–25 aircraft over the next few years.
On December 24, 2025, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress were granted NOCs. Both airlines are now preparing to begin operations, with an initial focus on domestic and regional routes. Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group.
The entry of new airlines comes amid industry discussions around market concentration, particularly the dominance of a small number of carriers. IndiGo currently accounts for a significant share of domestic air traffic, and recent operational disruptions have underscored concerns about limited competition within the sector.
Government officials have indicated that encouraging additional airlines is intended to address these challenges by expanding capacity, improving route connectivity, and offering passengers more choice. The addition of new carriers is expected to support competition and contribute to the continued development of India’s aviation market.
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