Minister Naidu Welcomes Three New Airlines: Who Are Shankh Air, Al Hind Air,

December 23, 2025 at 09:17 PM•3 min read

India's Civil Aviation Ministry, led by Minister Naidu, approved new airlines Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress to boost competition and regional

Key Points

1Three new airlines—Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress—received NOCs from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a key step toward commercial launch.
2Minister Rammohan Naidu is encouraging new entrants to boost competition and strengthen the Indian aviation sector, which is the world's fastest-growing domestic market.
3The government's UDAN scheme continues to drive regional connectivity, having operationalized over 600 routes and supporting smaller carriers like Star Air and Fly91.
4The new carriers must now complete the rigorous Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process with the DGCA, including fleet acquisition and safety audits.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu recently met with teams from three new airlines. The airlines are Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress. These carriers are preparing to launch operations in the Indian skies. The Minister confirmed that all three have received their No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Ministry. This NOC is a crucial early step toward securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the DGCA.

Boosting Competition and Connectivity

Minister Naidu stated the Ministry is actively encouraging new entrants. This strategy aims to build a more competitive aviation ecosystem. India’s aviation sector is already one of the fastest growing globally. The government seeks to ensure fair access and eliminate duopoly concerns.

The Minister highlighted the sector’s strong growth potential. India is the world’s third-largest air transport market. The domestic market has shown year-on-year passenger growth of around 12%. This expansion is driven by rising incomes and high demand for air travel.

The Role of Regional Carriers

Government policies, particularly the UDAN scheme, are credited with this growth. UDAN stands for Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (Let the Common Citizen Fly). This scheme has been instrumental in enhancing regional connectivity. It connects smaller, underserved cities to the national aviation grid.

UDAN has operationalized over 600 routes and 86 airports. It has benefited more than 1.44 crore passengers since 2016. Smaller carriers like Star Air, India One Air, and Fly91 have leveraged this scheme. Their success demonstrates the vast scope for further regional growth. The government plans to unlock 1,000 new routes by 2026.

New Entrants and Market Impact

The three new airlines will now proceed with regulatory requirements. They must complete the AOC process with the DGCA. This includes aircraft induction, crew training, and safety audits.

Shankh Air plans to focus on major cities in Uttar Pradesh. It aims to connect cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Agra. The airline intends to deploy Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.
Al Hind Air is part of the well-established Alhind Group. The group is a major player in the travel and tourism industry.
FlyExpress is reported to be a Hyderabad-based company. It currently operates international and domestic courier and cargo services.

The entry of these new airlines is critical for passengers. More competition generally leads to lower fares and greater choice. It also increases the resilience of the overall aviation network. This is important for the Indian market, which is currently dominated by low-cost carriers. The Ministry’s support for these ventures is a clear signal of its commitment to expanding the nation's air travel capacity and improving connectivity across all regions. Stay updated on commercial aviation news and new airline launches here.