Shankh Air, the upcoming domestic airline promoted by Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Aviation, is planning to commence flight operations in the first quarter of 2026 after receiving a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Shankh Aviation said that its aircraft are currently undergoing technical reviews and are being prepared for delivery to India, marking a key step toward operational readiness. The airline will operate under the brand name Shankh Air.

Chairman and Managing Director of Shankh Aviation, Sharvan Kumar Vishwakarma, recently met Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu to brief him on the airline’s launch roadmap and expansion plans. Vishwakarma said the company is confident of starting commercial services around the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory clearances.

The airline has ambitious growth plans and aims to expand its fleet to 20–25 aircraft over the next two to three years, positioning itself as a significant player in India’s rapidly expanding aviation market.

According to the statement, the Civil Aviation Minister assured full cooperation from the ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that all mandatory procedures are completed within stipulated timelines, enabling a smooth start to operations. India currently has nine scheduled domestic airlines and remains one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally.