From Tempo Driver to Airline Founder: Shankh Air's Vision for Affordable Indian Skies

The idea that aviation is an exclusive club is changing in India. Shankh Air is the newest carrier preparing for take-off. Its founder, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, has an unusual background. He was once a tempo and auto driver in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Today, he leads an airline ready to challenge industry giants.

Shankh Air is set to begin commercial operations soon. The launch is planned for the first half of January. The initial fleet will consist of three Airbus aircraft. The airline will connect Lucknow with major hubs. These include Delhi and Mumbai. Flights to other Uttar Pradesh destinations are also planned. The company plans to scale its fleet to 20–25 aircraft. This expansion is targeted over the next two to three years.

The Journey from Kanpur's Roads to the Runway

Vishwakarma's story is one of persistence. Born into a middle-class Kanpur family, he focused on survival. He drove autos and tempos for a living. "Just earning a livelihood was seen as enough," he recalled. Dreaming beyond that seemed impossible. The turning point came in 2014. He entered the cement trade. This business steadily grew. He expanded into steel, mining, and transport. His transport firm now operates over 400 trucks. This success provided the financial base for Shankh Air.

The idea for the airline came four years ago. He started by learning the regulatory process. This included securing the No-Objection Certificate (NOC). The airline’s name, Shankh, comes from his existing trading firm.

Challenging India's Aviation Duopoly

Shankh Air has secured its NOC from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This regulatory clearance is a major step. The airline is now awaiting its Air Operator Permit (AOP). The approval comes at a critical time. Concerns over limited competition in the India domestic aviation market are high.

Industry data shows a heavy concentration of market share. IndiGo and the Air India Group control over 90% of domestic air traffic. IndiGo alone holds about 60% to 65% of the market. The government is actively pushing to widen participation. This push includes new carriers like Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress.

India is the world's third-largest civil aviation market. It is also the fastest-growing domestic air traffic market. Domestic air traffic reached 16.13 crore passengers in 2024. This growth indicates a strong opportunity for new entrants. Schemes like UDAN support regional connectivity. This helps smaller carriers expand services.

Fleet and Vision for the First-Time Flyer

Shankh Air's core objective is accessibility. Vishwakarma wants to make flying affordable. He aims to serve middle-class passengers and first-time flyers. He sees an aircraft as simply a means of transport. He believes it should not be viewed as a luxury. The Airbus aircraft fleet plan is backed by external financing. The company states it has no funding constraints. The airline plans to avoid raising ticket prices during festival seasons.

• Initial Fleet: Three Airbus aircraft for launch in January.
• Key Routes: Lucknow connecting to Delhi, Mumbai, and other metros.
• Expansion Goal: 20–25 aircraft within two to three years.
• Future Plans: International operations are targeted for 2028 or 2029.

For the founder, the launch is a message of possibility. He advises others to ignore critics. "If someone who once drove a tempo can run an airline," he says, "others can also move ahead." This story shows that persistence can bend the odds in modern India. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. The entry of Shankh Air is a key development for the global IATA region.