Shankh Air Targets March Launch with Airbus A320s, Plans International Routes

January 2, 2026 at 12:04 PM•2 min read

Shankh Air, a new India domestic airline, plans a March 2026 launch with three Airbus A320 aircraft, aiming for international routes by 2029.

Key Points

1Shankh Air plans to launch commercial operations in March 2026 with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft.
2The airline is one of three new carriers recently approved to enter the Indian market, aiming to challenge the current duopoly.
3The carrier targets international operations by 2028 or 2029, with a mission to democratise air travel for middle-class passengers.
4The launch occurs as domestic air traffic growth for FY2026 is revised down to 0-3% by ICRA due to recent disruptions.

Shankh Air, a new domestic carrier based in Uttar Pradesh, is preparing for its commercial debut. The airline plans to commence flight operations around March 2026. This launch follows the carrier securing a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Union Aviation Ministry.

Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma confirmed the initial fleet plan. Shankh Air will begin services with three Airbus A320 aircraft. These aircraft are currently based in Bulgaria. The airline expects two more aircraft to join the fleet by July or August. This is part of a phased expansion strategy.

Fleet and Expansion Strategy

The airline intends to increase its fleet size in the coming years. The ultimate goal is to launch international operations by 2028 or 2029. Vishwakarma stressed that fleet expansion is vital for survival in the competitive aviation sector. The carrier is one of three new airlines recently cleared for launch. The others are Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.

Shankh Air aims to serve primarily middle-class passengers. Their vision is to democratise air travel in India. The Chairman intends to position air travel as a standard mode of transport. He noted that stable ticket prices between morning and evening flights will ensure accessibility.

Market Context and Competition

The entry of new airlines is a move to challenge the existing market structure. The Indian domestic market is currently dominated by a duopoly. IndiGo and the Air India Group control over 90% of the domestic traffic. IndiGo alone holds a market share exceeding 65%.

New entrants like Shankh Air will increase regional and interstate connectivity. This aligns with the government’s focus on schemes like UDAN.

Industry Headwinds

The new carrier enters the market amid challenging conditions. Rating agency ICRA revised its forecast for domestic air passenger traffic growth. Growth for the current fiscal year (FY2026) is now expected to be only 0-3%. This is down from an earlier projection of 4-6%. This slowdown is due to operational disruptions and dampened travel sentiment.

Risk: Smaller carriers face challenges from high operational costs and price sensitivity.
Opportunity: The medium-term outlook for FY2027 remains stable, forecasting 6-8% growth.

Shankh Air's success will depend entirely on the quality of its service. The focus on reliable operations will be key to capturing market share from larger players. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.