Two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, set to start operations in India soon
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.
The civil aviation ministry granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to both airlines this week, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X on Tuesday.
The approvals come against the backdrop of widespread flight disruptions earlier this month, when IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights and raised 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 Alhind 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,” th messahe reads.
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 says.
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.