India’s civil aviation sector is set to welcome new players, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two upcoming airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress -paving the way for their launch next year.
The approvals were issued earlier this week, PTI reported.
In addition, Uttar Pradesh–based Shankh Air, which has already secured its NOC, is also expected to commence flight operations in 2026. Confirming the developments, Civil Aviation Minister
said in a post on X that he recently met teams from all three aspiring carriers. “While Shankh Air has already got the NOC from the Ministry, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received their NOCs this week,” he said.
The approvals come at a time when the government is actively encouraging new airline operators to enter India’s rapidly expanding aviation market, one of the fastest-growing domestic civil aviation sectors globally. Currently, the market is heavily dominated by IndiGo and the Air India Group, which together account for over 90 per cent of domestic market share. India presently has nine operational domestic airlines, although regional carrier Fly Big suspended its scheduled services in October, according to PTI.
Among the new entrants, Al Hind Air is expected to play a key role in strengthening regional connectivity. Promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, the airline will debut as a regional commuter carrier, initially operating a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft. Its early focus will be on efficient domestic operations, with plans to expand into international routes at a later stage.
“Based at the Kochi hub, Al Hind Air is actively collaborating with Cochin International Airport Limited to ensure a seamless setup of its operational base,” the airline noted on its website.
Minister Naidu reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding India’s aviation ecosystem, attributing the sector’s growth to policy initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted that schemes such as UDAN have enabled smaller airlines—including Star Air, India One Air and Fly91—to play an important role in enhancing regional air connectivity across the country.
With the entry of Al Hind Air, FlyExpress and Shankh Air, industry stakeholders expect increased competition, improved connectivity to underserved routes, and further momentum for India’s fast-evolving aviation market.