The government has granted initial approval to two new airlines to start operations, after the recent chaos in IndiGo operations, which stranded passengers for several days across the country and exposed the abuse of dominance by the largest domestic airline.The civil aviation ministry granted a “no-objection certificate” to regional airlines – Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress – this week, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X.
He said that the government is keen to encourage more competition in the country’s domestic aviation market. Al Hind Air, promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, intends to begin operations in southern India with a fleet of ATR Turboprop aircraft. It is in the process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate.
FlyExpress has also stated on its website that it was “coming soon.” Shankh Air is expected to follow with commercial operations next year.