Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India has given initial regulatory clearance to two new carriers, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, marking a fresh attempt to broaden competition in the country’s fast-expanding aviation market, according to a report in The Hindustan Times.
The Civil Aviation Ministry granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to both airlines last week, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X.
The approvals come against the backdrop of widespread flight disruptions earlier in December, when IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights and led to concerns over its monopoly in the Indian aviation sector. IndiGo currently accounts for around 65 per cent of India’s domestic market, while the Air India Group holds about 27 per cent, leaving limited room for smaller operators, according to a Reuters report.
Al Hind Air, promoted by the Kerala-based AL Hind Group, plans to begin operations primarily in southern India and intends to operate ATR turboprop aircraft, the report stated. The airline is still in the process of securing its Air Operator Certificate, a key regulatory requirement before commercial services can begin.
A message on Al Hind Air’s website reads says it “is preparing to make its debut in the aviation industry as a regional commuter airline, with operations scheduled to commence later this year.”
“The airline will begin its journey with a fleet of ATR 72- 600 model aircraft, initially focusing on providing efficient and reliable domestic air travel,” the message read.
Based at the Kochi hub, Al Hind is actively collaborating with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to ensure a seamless setup of its operational base, it said.
FlyExpress, the second airline to receive an NOC, has indicated that it is preparing to launch operations soon, though details of its fleet and route network are yet to be formally announced, the report noted.
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu said he held meetings over the past week with teams from Al Hind Air, FlyExpress and Shankh Air, another proposed carrier that had already secured its NOC earlier, according to an ANI news agency report.
The Minister said the Government is actively encouraging new airlines to enter Indian skies, describing the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets due to policy support and initiatives such as the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Under UDAN, smaller carriers such as Star Air, IndiaOne Air and Fly91 have expanded regional connectivity, demonstrating scope for further growth by new entrants like Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, the Minister said. The push for more airlines has gained urgency after the IndiGo disruptions were linked to crew management issues and the implementation of new flight duty time limitation norms.