New Indian Carrier Shankh Air Eyes 2026 Launch, International Routes by 2029

January 2, 2026 at 12:07 PM•2 min read

Shankh Air, a new Indian carrier, is set to launch domestic flights in March 2026 with three Airbus A320s, aiming to democratize air travel and begin international operations by 2029.

Key Points

1Shankh Air is scheduled to commence domestic flight operations in the first quarter of 2026, around March.
2The airline will launch with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft, with plans to induct two more by mid-2026.
3The long-term strategy includes launching international flight operations by 2028 or 2029, targeting the middle-class passenger segment.
4Shankh Air is one of three new carriers recently approved, adding competition to the highly concentrated Indian aviation market.

Shankh Air, an upcoming Indian domestic airline market venture, is preparing for its commercial launch. The carrier plans to begin Shankh Air launch date operations around March 2026. This launch follows the airline receiving a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Union Aviation Ministry.

This new entrant aims to enhance regional and interstate connectivity across India. The core vision is to make air travel more accessible to the country’s growing middle-class air travel segment.

Initial Fleet and Expansion Strategy

Shankh Air will start its services with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft. These narrow-body jets are currently based in Bulgaria. The airline’s founder and Chairman, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, stated that two additional aircraft are expected by mid-2026.

This initial Airbus A320 fleet expansion is crucial for market survival. The carrier plans to gradually increase its fleet size in the coming years. This phased growth is designed to support both domestic and future international ambitions.

Targeting International Flight Operations

The airline has set an ambitious long-term goal for international flight operations 2029. Shankh Air intends to launch flights to destinations outside India by 2028 or 2029.

Initial domestic routes are expected to connect major metros. The plan includes serving underserved regional destinations from its base in Uttar Pradesh.

Market Context and Competition

Shankh Air is one of three new Indian carrier ventures to recently receive regulatory approval. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees this rapidly expanding sector.

India is one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects India to be the third-largest air passenger market by 2030.

However, the market is highly competitive. It is currently dominated by major players like IndiGo and the Air India Group.

New entrants face challenges like high fuel taxes and infrastructure limitations. Shankh Air's strategy focuses on affordability to democratize air travel in India. This is a direct challenge to existing budget carriers.

The airline's launch will increase competition at major hubs like Lucknow Airport.
The goal is to position air travel as a standard utility, not a luxury.
Success hinges on maintaining low operating costs and rapid fleet induction.

For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit the industry reports section. The entry of new airlines signals strong confidence in India's future air traffic growth.