New Indian Airline Shankh Air Targets Q1 2026 Launch Amid Market Growth Push

Shankh Air is preparing to launch commercial services. The new carrier targets a start in the first quarter of 2026.

Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Aviation will operate the airline. The company has secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Civil Aviation Ministry. This marks a major step in the long regulatory process.

Launch Preparations and Fleet Strategy

Shankh Aviation confirmed its aircraft are under review. They are being readied for delivery to India. This process is a critical part of the pre-launch phase.

Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma is the Chairman and Managing Director. He met with Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday. The meeting focused on the airline's timeline and operational plans.

According to Vishwakarma, the company has ambitious growth targets. It plans to scale its fleet to between 20 and 25 aircraft over the next two to three years. This expansion signals a long-term commitment to the market.

Minister Naidu assured the airline of full cooperation. The ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will assist. Their goal is to ensure all necessary procedures are completed swiftly.

Market Context and Competition

Shankh Air enters one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets. India currently has nine scheduled domestic airlines. The government is actively encouraging new entrants.

This push for new capacity follows recent market concerns. The domestic sector is heavily concentrated. IndiGo and the Air India Group control over 90% of the market. IndiGo alone holds more than 65% of the domestic share. This creates an apparent duopoly in the sector.

New airlines like Shankh Air are seen as vital. They will help increase competition and capacity. Industry data from the Airports Council International (ACI) supports this growth push. India’s air passenger growth is projected to reach 10.5% in 2026. This rate is expected to surpass China’s 8.9% growth for the same year.

Global bodies like the IATA recognize India's potential. The country is projected to become the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030. Domestic airlines have placed orders for over 1,700 planes. This shows strong confidence in the market's future.

Opportunities and Challenges

Shankh Air is reportedly set to be Uttar Pradesh's first scheduled airline. It may hub at the new Noida International Airport (Jewar). The airline is expected to operate as a full-service carrier. This positioning offers a different option from the dominant low-cost model.

However, the Indian market presents significant challenges.

• High Competition: New entrants must compete with the scale and pricing power of IndiGo.
• Operational Hurdles: Past airline failures, like Jet Airways and Go First, show the volatility.
• Fleet Acquisition: Securing and financing a 20-25 aircraft fleet requires massive capital. Aircraft manufacturers like Airbus are key partners in this growth.

The government's support, including cooperation from the DGCA, is a positive signal. It suggests a smoother path for regulatory approvals. This is critical for meeting the Q1 2026 launch target. The entry of new players is crucial for a healthy, competitive commercial aviation news environment, as reported on https://flying.flights. The expansion aims to serve India's rapidly increasing air travel demand. The focus on regional connectivity under schemes like UDAN also presents growth opportunities.