The government has approved two new airlines Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, weeks after an operational crisis at IndiGo brought India’s aviation sector to a near standstill.
Civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Wednesday that both carriers have received no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the ministry, signalling a renewed push to increase competition in the sector.
Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air, which has already secured its NOC, is expected to begin operations in 2026.
The approvals come against the backdrop of severe flight disruptions in early December, when IndiGo cancelled more than 5,000 flights in a week following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation norms.
IndiGo and the Air India Group together account for over 90% of India’s domestic aviation market.
The government has said encouraging new entrants will strengthen resilience, boost regional connectivity and reduce the risks posed by excessive industry concentration.
