India's Aviation Sector Expands with New Carriers Taking Flight

India’s aviation sector is taking a giant leap forward in 2025 with the arrival of three new airlines—Shankh Air, Air Kerala, and Alhind Air. With air travel demand increasing day by day, these new entrants are aiming to improve connectivity, with competitive pricing, thus creating a new travel option for millions.

Shankh Air will begin its operations from the forthcoming Noida Jewar International Airport, thereby making it Uttar Pradesh’s first full-service airline. The carrier is aiming to connect cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur with major hubs, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. It is supported by an initial $250 million investment, and it further plans for international expansion by 2027.

Air Kerala, a much awaited project will finally take its flight off under Zettfly Aviation Pvt. Ltd. It initially is operating on domestic routes with ATR 72-600 aircraft, the airline is focusing to connect Kerala’s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to major hubs. It plans to expand to Gulf countries by 2026, catering to the large Malayali expatriate community.

Alhind Air, which was launched by the Calicut-based Alhind Group, marks the company’s metamorphosis from a travel agency to an airline operator. The carrier will start its operations from Cochin International Airport with two ATR 72-600 aircraft, aiming to expand to seven aircraft within a year and it will also add international routes soon after.

All three airlines have received no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and are now waiting for the final regulatory sanction from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). As these three airlines prepare for takeoff, the year 2025 promises to be the most transformative for Indian aviation sector, opening doors to greater connectivity and affordability in air travel.