Overview
- Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said Al Hind Air and FlyExpress received no objection certificates this week, while Shankh Air already held one.
- The approvals follow IndiGo’s early-December rostering failure under new fatigue rules that triggered thousands of cancellations and spotlighted reliance on a few carriers.
- IndiGo holds roughly 65% domestic market share and the Air India Group about 25%, leaving nearly 90% of traffic concentrated with two players, according to DGCA data.
- An NOC allows setup activity only; carriers must still secure a DGCA Air Operator Certificate by proving finances, acquiring aircraft, training crews, implementing safety systems and completing proving flights.
- Al Hind Air, promoted by Kerala’s Alhind Group, plans ATR 72-600 operations from a Kochi hub, and Shankh Air says it aims to link cities in Uttar Pradesh with a launch targeted for 2026, though timelines depend on regulatory clearance.