India Gets Two New Airlines as Govt Clears Al Hind Air, FlyExpress: What We Know So Far

India's aviation landscape is set to expand further after the civil aviation ministry granted approval to two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.

The clearances mark another step in the government's push to widen competition and improve connectivity in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.

Both carriers received their no-objection certificates from the ministry this week and are expected to begin operations next year, according to PTI.

Govt Grants NOCs to New Carriers

Confirming the development, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the ministry had engaged with multiple aspiring airlines over the past week.

"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," Naidu said in a post on X.

Apart from Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air is also preparing to commence flight operations in 2026, having already secured its NOC earlier.

Why the Government Is Expanding the Airline Pool

The approvals come at a time when the ministry is actively looking to increase the number of airline operators in the country. India's domestic aviation sector is currently dominated by IndiGo and the Air India Group, which together account for more than 90 per cent of the market share.

At present, nine domestic airlines are operational, although regional carrier Fly Big suspended its scheduled services in October, PTI reported.

The government believes adding more players will boost competition, stabilise services and expand air connectivity, particularly to underserved regions.

What We Know About Al Hind Air

Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group and is positioning itself as a regional commuter airline. According to its website, the airline plans to begin operations with ATR 72-600 aircraft.

The carrier will initially focus on domestic routes before expanding to international destinations at a later stage.

"Based at the Kochi hub, alhindair is actively collaborating with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to ensure a seamless setup of its operational base," the airline said on its website.

Approval Comes Amid Duopoly Concerns

The NOCs for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have been issued amid growing concerns over an apparent duopoly in India's aviation sector. These worries intensified after IndiGo, which controls over 65 per cent of the domestic market, faced major operational disruptions earlier this month.

Thousands of flights were cancelled during the crisis, leaving millions of passengers stranded and triggering widespread baggage issues.

"It has been endeavour of the ministry to encourage more airlines in Indian Aviation which is amongst the fastest growing aviation markets in the world owing to the policies of the government of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji," Naidu said in another post on X.

He added that schemes such as UDAN had helped smaller airlines including Star Air, India One Air and Fly91 play a crucial role in strengthening regional connectivity.

Following the disruptions, the government stepped in, tightening oversight on IndiGo's operations and summoning its chief executive officer Pieter Elbers and chief operating officer Isidro Porqueras before the aviation regulator DGCA.