India’s aviation sector is expanding after the Ministry of Civil Aviation approved two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. Both carriers received their No Objection Certificates (NOCs) this week, joining Shankh Air, which has already secured clearance. All three airlines state they are on track to begin operations in 2026.
Al Hind Air to start as a Regional Commuter Operator
Al Hind Air, promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group has longstanding interests in travel and tour management. According to their website the airline plans to begin operations primarily in southern India as a regional commuter carrier using ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Moreover, Al Hind Air is planning to operate from Kochi in south-west India and collaborate with Cochin International Airport to establish their hub. However, the airline is still the process of securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), a mandatory requirement before launching commercial services.
FlyExpress prepares for entry amid policy push
FlyExpress, the second airline to receive an NOC, has indicated that it is preparing to launch operations soon but has yet to release details of its fleet or routes. Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu said he met with teams from both airlines over the past week. Furthermore, he disclosed how India has one of the world’s fasting-growing aviation markets due to policy support and initiatives such as the UDAN regional connectivity scheme .
Under UDAN, smaller carriers like IndiaOne Air have expanded services to underserved cities, showing growth opportunities for new airlines. This push has gained urgency after the recent IndiGo disruptions were linked to crew management issues.
Diversifiying India’s domestic aviation market
The three new approvals come as India’s government pushes to address capacity concerns following the recent flight disruptions, including cancellations by IndiGo. At present, IndiGo controls about 65% of India’s domestic market, while the Air India Group accounts for roughly 27%, leaving limited space for smaller operations.
India currently has nine scheduled domestic airlines, though they have seen high-profile exits including Jet Airways and Go First. The entry of Al Hind Air and FlyExpress is being viewed as a step toward easing duopoly concerns.
Overall, India’s government has shown an interest in strengthening India’s presence in the domestic aviation market.
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