3 new airlines to take off in India this year

The new carriers, founded in 2024, received an NOC from the Civil Aviation Ministry and await an Air Operator Certificate from the DGCA.

Shankh Air is expected to start flying in mid-2025 from Noida’s Jewar Airport, and connect major metros with tier 2 cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur. It will begin with two leased aircraft and expand to five within the first year. It may start flying internationally by 2027.

Air Kerela plans to become India’s first ultra-low-cost carrier, connecting tier 2 and 3 cities in Kerela with metros. It may begin domestic operations later this year and start flying internationally in 2026, beginning with Gulf routes.

India has 12 operational airlines, including five mainline and seven regional carriers. IndiGo and Air India serve over 90% of Indian passengers.

IndiGo leased a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from European Norse Atlantic Airways and deployed it on Delhi-Bangkok route effective March 1st.

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