India’s new airline, Shankh Air, has received approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry to begin operations.
However, it still needs final approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before it can start flying.
The ministry’s permission letter instructs Shankh Air to follow all relevant regulations, including those about foreign direct investment (FDI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
The No Objection Certificate (NOC) given to the airline is valid for three years.
Focus and Operations
Shankh Air is the first scheduled airline launched from Uttar Pradesh. Its main operations will be based in Lucknow and Noida.
The airline will start with a fleet of new-generation Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.
According to the company’s website, Shankh Air aims to connect major cities in India, including both interstate and intra-state routes.
The airline will focus on areas with high demand for air travel but limited direct flight services.
Increasing Competition in the Aviation Sector
Competition among domestic airlines in India is rising. In August, Air India, the largest airline in the country, regained market share after losing it in July.
Its market share increased by 0.40% in August, while SpiceJet and Akasa Air saw decreases of 0.80% and 0.20%, respectively.
In July, IndiGo had boosted its market share by 1.20% compared to June 2024.
According to data from the DGCA released on September 13, domestic air traffic in August grew by 5.7% compared to last year, with a total of 1.31 crore passengers traveling by air.
However, domestic air traffic declined in August, July, and June compared to 1.38 crore passengers in May 2024.
In June, there were 1.32 crore passengers, and in July, 1.29 crore passengers traveled by air.
Current Airlines in India
India currently has several airlines operating, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air Asia India, Vistara, Go First, Jet Airways, and AIX Connect.
