Shankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029

Shankh Air, an upcoming domestic airline, is set to launch operations in the first quarter of 2026, with flights expected to begin around March, Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma said. The airline will focus on improving regional and interstate connectivity and is among three new carriers to receive a no-objection certificate from the Union Aviation Ministry, alongside Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. Shankh Air will start with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft currently based in Bulgaria, with two additional planes likely to be inducted by July or August. Vishwakarma said fleet expansion is vital for sustainability and that the airline plans to begin international operations by 2028 or 2029. Targeting middle-class travellers, the airline aims to make air travel affordable, accessible, and a routine mode of transport for the public.