Two New Airlines Get Centre Nod For Operations
- Two new airlines approved by Civil Aviation Ministry
- Two new airlines to join Indian aviation market soon
Hyderabad: Two new airlines have received approval from the central government, marking a fresh development in India’s civil aviation sector. The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday granted No Objection Certificates to Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. The decision clears the way for these carriers to move closer to launching services, according to the official announcement.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed the approvals and said the government has been engaging with several new airline teams. He shared details of the decision in an email, highlighting the ministry’s recent interactions with aspiring carriers. “I am happy to have met the teams of Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, which are new airlines aspiring to enter the Indian aviation sector, over the past week. Shankh Air has already received NOCs from the ministry. Al Hind Air and FlyExpress also received NOCs this week,” he said.
Meanwhile, with these approvals, three new airlines are now in line to begin operations. Shankh Air, which had already secured its NOC earlier, is expected to start services from the new year. The airline will operate from Uttar Pradesh, as stated in the official information. Therefore, the coming months could see increased activity as new players prepare to enter the market.
Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala based Al Hind Group. The entry of a promoter group from Kerala adds a regional business presence to the expanding aviation sector. FlyExpress, the third carrier in focus, is also set to begin operations. However, FlyExpress plans to start operating domestic flights in 2026, indicating a longer preparation timeline compared to the others.
At the same time, the broader industry context remains mixed. Regional carrier Fly Big ceased operations in October, which reduced the number of active domestic airlines to nine. However, despite new entrants preparing to launch, the domestic market continues to be heavily dominated by a few major players. IndiGo, along with the Air India Group’s Air India and Air India Express, together account for over 90 per cent of the domestic aviation market.
Therefore, the approval of two new airlines signals fresh interest in the sector, even as competition remains intense. The government’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to expand connectivity and encourage participation in civil aviation. (Maxim News)
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