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Shankh Air Takes Flight in March 2026, Aims to Make Air Travel a Common Utility

Shankh Air is set to commence domestic operations in March 2026, beginning with a fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline's vision is to democratize air travel, targeting middle-class passengers by positioning flights as a standard utility rather than a luxury. It plans a phased expansion, aiming to add two more aircraft by mid-2026 and eventually launch international routes by 2028 or 2029. The Chairman emphasizes stable pricing and customer-centric service as the core of its strategy to compete in the aviation market.

Key Points: Shankh Air Launch: Domestic Flights in 2026, International by 2029

  • Launch with 3 Airbus A320s
  • Target middle-class & stable fares
  • Phased fleet expansion planned
  • International operations by 2028-29
2 min read

Shankh Air to commence operations in March, eyes international routes by 2029

New airline Shankh Air starts operations in March 2026 with 3 Airbus A320s. It aims to democratize air travel for the middle class and target international routes by 2029.

"I think that I have to remove that hesitation... The public will be with whoever provides a good service. - Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, Chairman"

Lucknow, January 2

Shankh Air, an upcoming domestic airline venture, plans to take to the skies by the first quarter of 2026. The airline is scheduled to commence flight operations around March, with a focus on enhancing regional and interstate connectivity, Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma said on Friday.

Shankh Air is one of the three new airlines to start operations in India after the Union Aviation Ministry granted a no-objection certificate (NOC). The other two airlines are Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.

Speaking to ANI, Founder and Chairman of Shankh Airlines Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma said, "We are expecting to start our services in the first quarter in March... We are starting with three aircraft, and then we will expand... I have a vision, and I will work on it... The public will be with whoever provides a good service."

He stated that the carrier will begin operations with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft, currently based in Bulgaria. Two additional aircraft are expected to join the fleet by July or August as part of a phased expansion strategy.

Vishwakarma noted that the airline intends to increase its fleet size in the coming years, with a target to launch international operations by 2028 or 2029. He emphasised that expanding the fleet is essential for survival in the aviation sector.

The airline aims to serve primarily middle-class passengers, with a vision to democratise air travel. Vishwakarma intends to position air travel as a standard mode of transport rather than a luxury. "I think that I have to remove that hesitation," he said, referring to the fear or reluctance some first-time flyers feel. He compared the aircraft to a "bus", suggesting that if the public views it as a simple utility, more people will utilise the service.

The Chairman noted that the difference between train and airfare is often minimal. He noted that ticket prices will remain stable between morning and evening flights to ensure accessibility for the common man.

Regarding competition with established players, Vishwakarma maintained a focus on his own operations. "I have my own vision. I will work on my own vision. I have nothing to do with others," he said.

He concluded that the airline's success ultimately rests with customers, who depend entirely on the quality of service.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Good luck to them, but I'm a bit skeptical. So many airlines have come and gone. Kingfisher, Jet Airways... the aviation sector is tough. I hope they have a solid financial plan and don't just rely on low fares. Sustainability is key.
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Rohit P
Love the vision of making air travel like a bus! My parents in a tier-2 city have never flown because they think it's only for the rich. If Shankh Air can make it simple and affordable, I'll definitely book their first flight for my family. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
Interesting. Starting with just three aircraft seems very modest. I hope their service and on-time performance are good. Indian passengers have had enough of delays and poor customer service from some budget carriers. We need reliability.
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Vikram M
The chairman is right about the small price difference between trains and flights sometimes. Last minute AC train tickets can cost as much as a flight! If they can keep fares stable and not surge like others, they will win many hearts.
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Karthik V
International routes by 2029 is an ambitious target. I appreciate the confidence, but they should first master the domestic market and connect smaller cities properly. We need better air links to places like Ranchi, Guwahati, and Bhubaneswar.

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