Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received no objection certificates (NOC) from the civil aviation ministry to start operations.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued NOCs to two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress in a move to reduce dominance of Air India and IndiGo which control up to 90% of the aviation sector. IndiGo alone accounts for nearly 65%, raising concerns about dependence on single airline. This approval comes amid uncertainties in aviation sector this month due to IndiGo crisis, that led to significant schedule collapses, affecting thousands of passengers and highlighting vulnerabilities in a highly concentrated industry. The confirmation was given by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on X on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air already holds an NOC and will begin its commercial operations in 2026.
With the entry of three new airlines, the government aims to diversify the aviation sector for other players as well. Kerala-based Al Hind group promotes Al Hind Air whereas, FlyExpress joins a growing list of aspirant carriers seeking to enter a market. India’s current roster of scheduled domestic airlines includes IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, state-owned Alliance Air, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91 and IndiaOne Air, as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Over the past few years, many airlines got shut due to debt woes including Jet Airways and Go First. The civil aviation ministry is seeking to have more airlines in India to avoid such incidents.
