Shankh Air gearing for takeoff as Air Kerala awaits a 2025 launch

Two new Indian airlines are aiming to take to air with preliminary clearance from the civil aviation ministry, but both have to obtain approval from the country’s civil aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulators before they can hope to fly.

Shankh Air, a scheduled airline to be based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh and Air Kerala, to be based in Kochi, Kerala have both received No Objection Certificates from the aviation ministry and hope to be ready to fly with all approvals by 2025.

Shankh Air, owned by Shankh Aviation Private Limited, and the first scheduled airline to take shape in Uttar Pradesh, is positioned as a full service airline.

Operating mainly from its hubs in Noida and Lucknow, the airline proposes to connect all major cities across India, especially those cities that are underserved but have big potential.

Within UP, Shankh Air hopes to provide the easiest air travel facility in Greater Noida, Noida, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and southern Gurgaon. The airline will be operating on both inter-state and intra-state routes.

Promoted by Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, its chairman, Shank Air promises reliable connectivity at competitive prices with a strong focus on passenger comfort, and a seamless flying experience.

Shankh Air plans to operate new-generation Boeing 737-800NG narrow-body planes and is in advanced talks with lessors to secure a fleet to operationalize the airline. These narrow-body aircraft can be used in both passenger and cargo operations.

Shankh Air officials, including chairman Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, have had detailed discussions with civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu as well as senior officials of Noida International Airport on the airline’s strategic direction and operational plans.

The airline, in a website notification, has already initiated recruitment drive by inviting applications from airline professionals, including aspiring professionals interested in a career with a full-service airline start-up.

Shank Air’s operational licence will be subject to compliance with rules regarding foreign direct investment and regulations set by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Meanwhile, another airline, which is proposed to be based out of Kochi in Kerala, has also received a No Objection Certificate from the aviation ministry.

The NOC comes after a long wait and after years of planning and discussions.

Air Kerala intends to use ATR-72 turboprop aircraft with initial operations within the state and major cities in southern states of India.

With scaled up operations and a minimum of 20 aircraft, the airline proposes to eventually achieve its aim of providing affordable flights to non-resident Keralites in the Middle East.