New airlines to test IndiGo's dominance over India's skies

Three new carriers plan 2026 launches as government moves to widen competition

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE Your Money Editor

For much of the past decade, flying in India has meant choosing between two names: IndiGo or Air India.

On hundreds of routes, there has effectively been only one option. That dominance is now under fresh scrutiny, after the government cleared three new airlines to enter the market, weeks after a major disruption at IndiGo exposed the risks of over-reliance on a single carrier.

The civil aviation ministry on Wednesday issued no-objection certificates (NOCs) to Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, adding to Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air, which received approval earlier. All three airlines are expected to begin operations in 2026, marking the most significant attempt in years to inject competition into India's domestic aviation market.

WHO ARE THE NEW ENTRANTS?

Shankh Air

Shankh Air is positioning itself as Uttar Pradesh's first scheduled airline, with its main hub planned at the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. Unlike most new entrants, it plans to operate as a full-service carrier, offering multiple cabin classes. The airline is undergoing technical reviews and aims to launch in the first quarter of 2026, with plans to scale to 20-25 aircraft within three years.

Al Hind Air