8 months ago
Shankh Air to Start Operations in 2026
Shankh Air is a new airline that will start flying in January 2026.
It was started by Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, who comes from a middle-class background and has experience in different businesses.
The airline will first fly to places in Uttar Pradesh and then to other big cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
They want to make flying affordable for people who have never flown before.
They will have three planes at first and plan to add more.
They also want to start flying to other countries in a few years.
The airline is funded by Shankh Trading, and they promise good service at low prices.
On the other hand, Alhind Air, which also plans to start operations, is facing delays because they are having trouble getting planes and finding the money to buy them.
They want to start with three planes and expand to seven, but they need to secure financing first.
They plan to fly from Kochi to other places in southern India.
Shankh Air, founded by Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, is set to start operations in the second half of January 2026, focusing on Uttar Pradesh and expanding to other parts of India.
The airline aims to be a full-service carrier for middle-class travellers, with initial routes connecting Lucknow to Mumbai, Delhi, and other metros, as well as various destinations in Uttar Pradesh.
Shankh Air's initial fleet will include three Airbus aircraft, with two more to be added in the next one-and-a-half months, and will be based at Noida International Airport in Jewar.
The airline's core objective is to make air travel accessible to first-time flyers and middle-class passengers, with plans to start international operations in 2028 or 2029.
Shankh Air is funded by Shankh Trading and aims to offer excellent service and low fares, with business-class fares slightly higher than competitors.
- Who
- Shankh Air, founded by Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, and Alhind Air
- What
- Shankh Air is set to start operations in January 2026, while Alhind Air faces delays in launching due to aircraft acquisition and financing issues
- Where
- Shankh Air: Initial focus on Uttar Pradesh, with routes connecting to Mumbai, Delhi, and other metros; Alhind Air: Kochi, connecting to destinations across southern India
- When
- Shankh Air: Second half of January 2026; Alhind Air: Delays in starting commercial operations
- Why
- Shankh Air aims to make air travel accessible to first-time flyers and middle-class passengers; Alhind Air is facing delays in acquiring aircraft and securing financing
Shankh Air
Alhind Air
Launch Timelines
Shankh Air
Shankh Air is set to start operations in the second half of January 2026, with a clear plan for fleet expansion and route development.
Alhind Air
Alhind Air faces delays in starting commercial operations due to aircraft acquisition and financing issues.
Fleet Acquisition
Shankh Air
Shankh Air has secured three Airbus aircraft with plans to add two more in the next one-and-a-half months.
Alhind Air
Alhind Air has been scouting for aircraft for an extended period, planning to start with three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft and expand to seven.
Financing
Shankh Air
Shankh Air is funded by Shankh Trading, with a clear strategy for low fares and business-class options.
Alhind Air
Alhind Air is facing delays in closing financing arrangements, preferring outright purchases over leasing to lower long-term operating costs.
Key facts
- Founder
- Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma
- Initial Routes
- Lucknow to Mumbai, Delhi, and other metros, plus various destinations in Uttar Pradesh
- Initial Fleet
- Three Airbus aircraft, with two more to be added in the next one-and-a-half months
- Base of Operations
- Noida International Airport in Jewar, with parking at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Target Market
- Middle-class travellers and first-time flyers
- Funding
- Shankh Trading, the parent company
- Planned International Operations
- 2028 or 2029, if all goes well
- Ticket Pricing
- Low fares, with business-class fares slightly higher than competitors
- Alhind Air Initial Plan
- Three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft, expanding to seven
- Alhind Air Base
- Kochi, connecting to destinations across southern India
- Alhind Air Financing Issue
- Delays in securing financing for aircraft purchases
- Alhind Air Workforce Status
- Majority of employees on leave without pay
Quotes
Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma
Chairman of Shankh Air
“The idea of entering the aviation sector came to him about four years ago. He set about understanding the documentation needed, how to get a No Objection Certificate and other intricacies. Vishwakarma said that he stuck with Shankh for the airline’s name as it was already the moniker of their trading company and also had a cultural association.”
news18.com
“The aircraft have been acquired from external companies on lease and stated that his company has no funding constraints. The Shankh Air Chairman said that his organisation was not focused on the market shares of its competition, but on improving itself.”
news18.com
Sources
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