Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, two news airlines scheduled to launch next year, have received approval from the civil aviation ministry. The government issued no objection certifications to both airlines on Wednesday, according to the PTI news agency. In addition to these two airlines, Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air is also anticipated to begin flying in 2026. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Shankh Air has already been issued.
Civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu said in a post on X, “Over the last one week, pleased to have met teams from new airlines aspiring to take wings in Indian skies- Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. While Shankh Air has already got the NOC from the Ministry, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received their NOCs this week.”
The action coincides with the ministry’s efforts to expand the number of airline operators in the nation, which has one of the fastest-growing domestic civil aviation markets in the world, according to PTI. Currently, more than 90% of the domestic civil aviation market share is held by IndiGo and Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express carriers. According to the PTI report, Fly Big, a regional airline, suspended scheduled flights in October, leaving India with nine active domestic airlines.
With Al Hind Air being marketed by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, these new carriers will play a crucial role in improving regional connectivity. Al Hind Air will launch as a regional commuter airline, according to the airline’s website.
With a fleet of ATR 72–600 type aircraft, it will start flying, first concentrating on offering effective domestic air transport. Later on, though, it intends to extend its services to foreign locations. According to its website, “alhindair is actively collaborating with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to ensure a seamless setup of its operational base, based at the Kochi hub.”
Amid worries over an apparent duopoly in India’s domestic airline sector, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have got their NOCs, according to PTI. The biggest airline in the nation, IndiGo, which has a market share of over 65%, has had severe operational interruptions, which have raised worries.
