The civil aviation ministry has granted initial clearance to two airlines to begin operations, weeks after mass cancellations by the country's largest airline IndiGo brought into focus the lack of competition in the world's fastest-growing aviation market.
The ministry granted a "no-objection certificate" to regional airline Al Hind Air and Fly Express this week, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X on Tuesday (December 23, 2025).
IndiGo already permitted to operate 5 leased B737 planes from Turkey till March '26: DGCA
“Over the last one week, pleased to have met teams from new airlines aspiring to take wings in Indian skies — Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. While Shankh Air has already got the NOC from the Ministry, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received their NOCs this week,” Mr. Naidu said. He added that the government is working to encourage more competition in the domestic market.
The risks associated with IndiGo's dominance were highlighted earlier this month when about 4,500 flights were cancelled due to poor staff planning. The abrupt cancellation led to thousands of passengers being stranded at airports across India, with many analysts calling the government to incentivise more companies to operate.
