India Clears Two New Airlines: Al Hind Air and FlyExpress Get Regulatory Nod

India’s aviation sector is poised for increased competition as the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted initial regulatory approvals to two new airlines — Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. The move signals a renewed push to expand capacity and reduce concentration in the rapidly growing domestic aviation market.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been issued to both carriers, allowing them to move forward with the next stages of regulatory compliance. The approvals come at a time when recent large-scale flight cancellations by IndiGo have reignited concerns about limited competition in the sector.

Currently, IndiGo dominates nearly 65% of India’s domestic aviation market, while the Air India Group controls about 27%, leaving little space for smaller players. The entry of new airlines is expected to gradually ease fears of a duopoly.

Al Hind Air, promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, plans to focus initially on southern India. The airline intends to operate ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft and position itself as a regional commuter airline. Based out of Kochi, Al Hind Air is working closely with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to establish its operational hub. While it has received an NOC, the airline is still awaiting its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which is mandatory before launching commercial flights.

Meanwhile, FlyExpress, the second carrier to receive clearance, has indicated that it is preparing to commence operations in the near future. However, details regarding its aircraft fleet and route network have not yet been officially disclosed.

Minister Naidu also confirmed that discussions were held with teams from Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air, another upcoming airline that has already secured regulatory approval. He reiterated that the government is actively encouraging new entrants, citing strong policy support and initiatives like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.

Under UDAN, smaller airlines such as Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have successfully expanded regional air connectivity. The government believes this creates further opportunities for upcoming carriers like Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.

The push for new airlines has gained momentum following recent disruptions at IndiGo, which were linked to internal crew management challenges and the rollout of updated flight duty time limitation rules. According to the minister, other airlines adapted smoothly to the revised norms, indicating that the disruptions were company-specific rather than regulatory failures.

At present, India has nine scheduled domestic airlines in operation. However, the sector has witnessed notable exits in recent years, including Jet Airways and Go First, both of which shut down due to financial difficulties.

The expected launch of Al Hind Air and FlyExpress over the next year is widely viewed as a positive step toward enhancing competition and strengthening India’s fast-growing aviation ecosystem.