By PingTV News Desk Published:
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!December 25, 2025 NEW DELHI – In a strategic move to dismantle the existing “duopoly” in the skies, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has officially granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three new carriers: Alhind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air.
The announcement, made by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on December 24, comes at a critical time when the Indian aviation sector is grappling with massive operational disruptions and high ticket prices from dominant players.
Meet the New Challengers
The three new entrants are expected to begin commercial operations by early 2026, targeting both regional connectivity and major metro routes.
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Alhind Air: Backed by the ₹20,000-crore Kerala-based Alhind Group, this airline will use Kochi (CIAL) as its hub. It plans to launch with a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft, initially focusing on South Indian regional routes before expanding to the Gulf.
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Shankh Air: The first scheduled airline from Uttar Pradesh, with hubs in Lucknow and Noida. It aims to connect major cities across India with a focus on reliability and regional mobility.
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FlyExpress: A new commuter-focused carrier set to operate under the government’s UDAN scheme, targeting underserved Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Breaking the ‘IndiGo-Air India’ Duopoly
Currently, IndiGo controls over 65% of the domestic market, while the Air India Group holds roughly 27%. Combined, they command over 90% of Indian skies.
The entry of these new airlines follows a period of extreme volatility. Earlier this month, IndiGo faced an “operational breakdown,” leading to over 4,300 flight cancellations. In response, the government has not only cleared new competitors but has also ordered IndiGo to pay an unprecedented ₹10,000 compensation per stranded passenger starting December 26, 2025.
A Landmark Day for Aviation
The news coincides with another major milestone: the official start of commercial operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) today, December 25. The launch of a second Mumbai hub, combined with three new airlines, signals a massive capacity boost for 2026.
“Our focus is to encourage new entrants to ensure India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing and most competitive aviation markets,” stated Minister Naidu.
