Shankh Air, India’s newest airline, has received approval from the Union Aviation Ministry to begin operations. However, before taking to the skies, the airline will need clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The ministry’s approval letter directed Shankh Air to adhere to all applicable regulations, including those related to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the airline is valid for three years.
Notably, Shankh Air is the first scheduled airline to originate from Uttar Pradesh, with operational hubs planned for Lucknow and Noida.
Shankh Air is set to launch services with a fleet of new-generation Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.
According to the company’s website, the airline aims to bridge key cities across India, providing both interstate and intrastate routes. Its focus will be on connecting regions with high demand but limited direct flight services.
Aviation Sector In India
Competition among domestic airlines in India is heating up with the country’s largest airline in terms of market share with Air India bouncing back to gain market share in August after losing market share in July.
Air India’s market share increased by 40 basis points in August compared to July, while SpiceJet and Akasa Air saw declines of 80 and 20 basis points, respectively. In July, IndiGo had reported a 120 basis point rise in its market share compared to June 2024.
One basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point.
Overall, domestic air traffic in August grew by 5.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1.31 crore passengers, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on September 13.
However, domestic air traffic numbers declined in August, July, and June when compared to May 2024, which recorded 1.38 crore passengers. In June 2024, 1.32 crore passengers flew, while July saw 1.29 crore passengers.
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