New Airlines Set to Compete with IndiGo and Air India by 2026

Shankh Air, based in Uttar Pradesh, is poised to commence its flight operations in the first quarter of 2026. The airline has successfully obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, marking a significant step towards its launch. Alongside Shankh Air, two additional airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, have also received their NOCs, promising to enhance competition in India's rapidly expanding domestic aviation sector.

Shankh Air will be managed by Shankh Aviation, which is currently preparing its aircraft for delivery to India. According to a recent statement, the company anticipates launching its flight services early next year and plans to grow its fleet to between 20 and 25 aircraft within the next two to three years.

Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, Chairman and Managing Director of Shankh Aviation, recently met with K Rammohan Naidu, the Minister of Civil Aviation, to discuss the airline's operational plans. Vishwakarma expressed the company's commitment to a timely launch, while Minister Naidu assured that the ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would provide full support to ensure all necessary procedures are completed efficiently.

This move towards granting more NOCs reflects the Indian government's efforts to broaden participation in the domestic aviation market, which currently comprises only nine scheduled airlines. The sector faced a setback in October when regional airline Fly Big suspended its scheduled flights.

Al Hind Air is being developed by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, while FlyExpress joins an emerging group of airlines seeking entry into a market dominated by a few major players. The growing concern surrounding an apparent duopoly in the industry has been significant in recent weeks. Currently, IndiGo and the Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express, collectively control over 90 per cent of the domestic market, with IndiGo alone accounting for more than 65 per cent.

Minister Naidu confirmed the approvals on social media platform X, stating that discussions had taken place with teams from Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress in the past week. With Shankh Air already holding its clearance, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress received their NOCs recently.

Encouraging the emergence of more airline operators remains a key policy goal for the government, considering that Indian aviation is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. Naidu highlighted the importance of government initiatives like the UDAN scheme, which aims to bolster regional connectivity. This initiative has enabled smaller airlines such as Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 to enhance their services on underrepresented routes.

As per the latest data from the DGCA, India’s scheduled carriers currently include IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91, and IndiaOne Air. The entry of new players is expected to invigorate this competitive landscape, offering more choices to consumers and potentially impacting fare structures across the sector.