The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has cleared the entry of three new scheduled commercial airline operators Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress in a coordinated policy push aimed at widening domestic capacity and reducing the duopoly risk laid bare by the IndiGo operational crisis. IndiGo cancelled approximately 4500 flights in late 2025 and early 2026 because of staff planning issues linked to updated flight duty time limitation rules disrupting tens of thousands of passengers across the country and raising market concentration concerns. IndiGo currently holds about 65 per cent of India domestic aviation market while the Air India Group of Tata Sons that includes Air India Air India Express and AIX Connect controls roughly 27 per cent leaving smaller carriers with the remainder. On 24 December 2025 Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced that Al Hind Air and FlyExpress had received No Objection Certificates NOCs from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Shankh Air founded in 2023 received operational approval in September 2024 and has obtained its NOC from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA. Shankh Air positions itself as Uttar Pradesh first scheduled carrier with Lucknow and Noida as hubs and routes planned across Lucknow Varanasi Agra and Gorakhpur. Al Hind Air promoted by the Kerala based Alhind Group plans to operate as a regional commuter airline using ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft initially from Kochi serving southern Indian destinations. FlyExpress is expected to focus on cargo linked and regional connectivity routes. All three carriers state they are on track to begin operations in 2026 boosting regional connectivity in tier 2 and tier 3 cities complementing the Modified UDAN scheme.
Ministry of Civil Aviation Clears Entry of Three New Domestic Airlines Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress Following the IndiGo Operational Crisis That Saw Around 4500 Flight Cancellations Setting the Stage for the First Major Competitive Reset of the Indian Skies in Almost a Decade as IndiGo and the Air India Group Together Account for Nearly 92 Per Cent of Domestic Capacity With Regional Routes in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala Expected to Benefit First in 2026
Ministry of Civil Aviation cleared three new domestic airlines Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress in response to the IndiGo operational crisis with around 4500 cancellations seeking to dilute the IndiGo Air India Group duopoly that controls 92 per cent of the market
Key facts
- Union Ministry of Civil Aviation cleared three new scheduled commercial airline operators Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to widen domestic capacity
- The policy push follows the IndiGo operational crisis that saw around 4500 flight cancellations due to staff planning issues linked to flight duty time limitation rules
- IndiGo holds about 65 per cent of India domestic aviation market while the Air India Group of Tata Sons controls roughly 27 per cent together accounting for around 92 per cent
- Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on 24 December 2025 announced NOCs for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress while Shankh Air received operational approval in September 2024
- Shankh Air founded in 2023 will operate from Lucknow and Noida hubs connecting Varanasi Agra and Gorakhpur as Uttar Pradesh first scheduled carrier
- Al Hind Air promoted by Kerala based Alhind Group will use ATR 72-600 turboprops initially from Kochi while FlyExpress is expected to focus on cargo linked and regional connectivity routes complementing Modified UDAN
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Consider the following statements regarding the three new airlines approved by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India: 1. Shankh Air is positioned as Uttar Pradesh first scheduled commercial carrier with hubs at Lucknow and Noida. 2. Al Hind Air promoted by the Kerala based Alhind Group plans to use ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft from a Kochi base. 3. The IndiGo and Air India Group together account for nearly 92 per cent of India domestic aviation market. Which of the statements given above are correct?
All three statements are correct. Shankh Air founded in 2023 received operational approval in September 2024 and will operate as Uttar Pradesh first scheduled carrier with Lucknow and Noida hubs connecting Varanasi Agra and Gorakhpur. Al Hind Air promoted by the Kerala based Alhind Group plans regional commuter services using ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft initially from Kochi serving southern Indian destinations. IndiGo holds approximately 65 per cent and the Air India Group of Tata Sons controls roughly 27 per cent of India domestic aviation market giving them combined share of about 92 per cent.
Source: News24
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Ministry of Civil Aviation approve three new airlines in 2026?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation approved Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to widen domestic capacity reduce duopoly risk and improve regional connectivity. The decision followed the IndiGo operational crisis that saw approximately 4500 flight cancellations due to staff planning issues linked to updated flight duty time limitation rules disrupting tens of thousands of passengers.
What is the current concentration of India domestic aviation market?
IndiGo holds about 65 per cent of India domestic aviation market while the Air India Group of Tata Sons that includes Air India Air India Express and AIX Connect controls roughly 27 per cent. Together the two players account for around 92 per cent of domestic capacity raising concentration concerns.
What are the operational plans of Shankh Air?
Shankh Air founded in 2023 received operational approval in September 2024. It will operate as Uttar Pradesh first scheduled carrier with Lucknow and Noida as hubs and routes planned across Lucknow Varanasi Agra and Gorakhpur. It received its No Objection Certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Who promotes Al Hind Air and what is its operational focus?
Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala based Alhind Group. It plans to operate as a regional commuter airline using ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft initially from Kochi and focusing on intra regional connectivity in southern India.
How do the new airlines complement the Modified UDAN scheme?
The Modified UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme cleared in 2026 with a 28840 crore rupees outlay aims to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips. The three new airlines particularly Shankh Air Al Hind Air and FlyExpress focused on tier 2 and tier 3 city routes complement Modified UDAN by adding scheduled carrier capacity to these new airports and helipads.
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