New Delhi: India’s domestic aviation sector is poised for increased competition after the Union Civil Aviation Ministry granted no objection certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines: Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.
Another carrier, Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air, which has already secured an NOC, is expected to commence operations in 2026, signalling a renewed push to broaden participation in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed the latest clearances in a post on social media, stating that while Shankh Air had received its approval earlier, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress were granted NOCs this week. Al Hind Air is being promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group.
The move comes amid concerns over the high level of market concentration in India’s aviation sector.
At present, only nine scheduled domestic airlines are operational, a number that declined further in October after regional carrier Fly Big suspended scheduled services.
IndiGo and the Air India Group together account for over 90 per cent of the domestic market, with IndiGo alone holding more than 65 per cent share.
Recent network-wide disruptions at IndiGo have further underlined the risks of such dependence.
Naidu said encouraging new entrants remains a consistent policy priority, pointing to initiatives such as the UDAN scheme, which has enabled smaller airlines to expand regional connectivity.
However, the sector’s history of failures, including Jet Airways and Go First, highlights the challenges that lie ahead for new players.
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