Full Service vs. Budget: The Risky Bet of India's Newest Airline

India’s skies are about to get crowded. On December 23, 2025, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu officially confirmed that Shankh Air has secured the critical No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry, clearing the runway for its launch. Positioned as Uttar Pradesh’s first state-based carrier, the airline aims to commence commercial operations by the first quarter of 2026. The approval comes as the government aggressively fast-tracks new entrants to disrupt the "duopoly" of IndiGo and Air India, responding to a surge in passenger grievances regarding fares and service reliability.

The Context (How We Got Here)

Shankh Air’s journey has been one of pivots. Initially targeting a May 2025 launch, the timeline was pushed to early 2026 to ensure robust regulatory compliance and fleet readiness. The approval is part of a broader ministerial push that also cleared paths for two other startups, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. Unlike the wave of low-cost carriers (LCCs) that defined the last decade, Shankh Air is betting on a different model: it will operate as a Full-Service Carrier (FSC), headquartered in Lucknow with a strategic operational base at the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar).

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma (Chairman): The disruptor. A businessman with a background in construction and trading, his rise from reportedly driving tempos to owning an airline is a "rags-to-riches" narrative fueling the brand's local appeal in UP.
K. Rammohan Naidu (Civil Aviation Minister): The enabler. His direct intervention to expedite NOCs signals a policy shift: the government is no longer content watching the market consolidate. It wants active competition to keep ticket prices in check.
Shankh Aviation Pvt Ltd: The entity. With plans to induct 20-25 aircraft in its first three years, the company is signaling aggressive intent rather than a cautious pilot phase.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While mainstream coverage focuses on "New Competition," the deeper story is the "Full-Service Gamble." In a price-sensitive market where even giants like Vistara were forced to merge, Shankh Air’s decision to launch as a Full-Service Carrier is audacious. They are betting that there is an underserved layer of travelers in Tier-2 cities (like Lucknow and Varanasi) who want premium service but are ignored by the budget-obsessed incumbents.

Furthermore, the "Jewar Arbitrage" is the strategic ace. By timing its launch with the operational stabilization of the new Noida International Airport (Jewar) in 2026, Shankh Air avoids the congested, expensive slot wars of Delhi’s IGI Airport. It is positioning itself as the "Anchor Airline" of the NCR's new gateway, effectively bypassing the legacy moats of IndiGo and Air India.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

For passengers in Uttar Pradesh, this promises direct connectivity without routing through Delhi. For the industry, it tests whether a regional entrepreneur can succeed where corporate-backed ventures have struggled. If Shankh Air succeeds, it validates the model of "State-Specific Airlines"; if it falters, it reinforces the brutal reality that Indian aviation is a graveyard for optimists.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

Can a full-service airline survive in India's cut-throat market by betting on a new airport, or is Shankh Air flying into the same tu

FAQs

When is Shankh Air starting operations in India? Shankh Air has received its NOC and is targeting a commercial launch in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, revised from an earlier 2025 timeline.

Who is the owner of Shankh Air? The airline is led by Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, a businessman from Uttar Pradesh involved in construction and trading, who serves as the Chairman.

Is Shankh Air a budget airline? No. Unlike most recent startups, Shankh Air aims to operate as a Full-Service Carrier (FSC), offering premium services and dual-class configurations, focusing on hubs in Lucknow and Noida.rbulence that grounded Kingfisher and Jet Airways?

Sources

News Coverage

Context & Background

Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.