The Ministry of Civil Aviation has given its go-ahead to three new airline companies in India as the government aims to focus on enabling small airline operators to boost regional connectivity.
In a recent post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu disclosed that the aviation ministry has granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to three airline companies — Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.
With Al Hind Air and FlyExpress among the recent ones receiving an NOC, the government aims to boost the Indian aviation market, leveraging government-backed schemes like the UDAN scheme, which seeks to make flights affordable for common people.
“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,” said Ram Mohan Naidu in his post.
Key things to know about the airlines
1. Shankh Air: An Uttar Pradesh-based company, Shankh Air is set to become a full-service airline operator which aims to offer reliable and affordable travel to customers.
According to its official website, Shankh Air plans to operate flights out of the upcoming Noida International Airport, aiming to connect major cities within and outside of its home state to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.
Shankh Air will initially operate flights on routes such as Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, along with Tier 1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Although the company was aiming for a launch by the end of 2025, the Noida airport has not yet been inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“With a commitment to competitive pricing and exceptional customer service, we aspire to redefine air travel standards,” Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, Chairman of Shankh Air, said on the website.
2. Al Hind Air: Kerala-based AlHind Group, which has interests in the travel and tour management industry, is now set to launch a new airline in the Indian aviation market.
The website data indicates that the company will make its debut as a regional commuter airline with a fleet of three ATR 72- 600 model aircraft. Al Hind Air seeks to focus on providing efficient and reliable domestic air travel.
The company plans to expand its services to international destinations in the near future in order to meet the rising demand.
The airline's parent company has offices in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bangladesh and Kuwait, with clients from all over the world for its travel and tour management business.
3. FlyExpress: FlyExpress is a Telangana-based company which is backed by promoters who have experience in logistics, courier, and cargo operations, according to media reports.
The reports also suggest that the airline company is in its pre-operational phase and is seeking other regulatory approvals. FlyExpress will reportedly focus on connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, leveraging the government-backed schemes.
However, the company's official website provides no additional information about the airline, except stating that it is “Coming Soon” in the Indian market.
Key Takeaways
- The aviation ministry has granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to three airline companies — Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.
- The government aims to boost the Indian aviation market, leveraging schemes like the UDAN scheme.
- The government seeks to make flights affordable for common people.
