India to get 3 new airlines | 02 Jan 2026

Why in News?

The Government of India has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three new airlines — Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress — to enter the Indian aviation sector.

Key Points

• Regulatory Approval: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted NOCs to three new airlines.
• Clearance Stage: After receiving NOCs, the airlines are in the process of securing the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to commence commercial operations.
• Operational Timeline: Commercial flight operations are expected to begin in 2026.
• Nature of Airlines: These are proposed as low-cost and regional airlines.
• Breaking the Duopoly: The government is moving to reduce the extreme market concentration where IndiGo (~65%) and Air India (~27%) control over 90% of traffic.
• Regional Connectivity: The move aligns with the government’s objective of improving air connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities, in line with the broader goals of the UDAN regional connectivity framework.