‘Objective is to make air travel accessible…’: Shankh Airlines chairman says operations likely to start in January

The Indian aviation industry is set to gain a new rival as Shankh Airlines prepares to start flight operations in the first half of January. Led by 35-year-old entrepreneur and Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, the carrier will make its debut with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft.

Vishwakarma said the airline’s primary focus includes connecting Lucknow to Delhi, Mumbai and other metropolitan cities PTI on Tuesday.

The official said that the airline will also operate flights to points across Uttar Pradesh in the first phase, adding that two more aircraft are expected to join the fleet in the next one and a half months.

“Currently the fleet size is limited, but as it grows we will cover the entire country,” he said. PTIHe noted that international operation plans are expected to be implemented in 2028 or 2029.

Affordable travel for the middle class?

At the heart of Shankh Airlines’ mission is its commitment to making air travel accessible to mid-range travelers and first-time fliers and breaking the perception that flying is a luxury.

To support this accessibility, Vishwakarma said ticket prices will not increase during peak festival seasons, although it plans to price business class tickets higher than its competitors.

“A plane is just a means of transportation, like a bus or tempo. It should not be seen as anything special,” he said.

We touch one of the fastest growing sectors

Stating that the aviation industry is one of the fastest growing areas, Vishwakarma said that its greatest strength lies in its strong cash flow. “There is no credit system in aviation. Many businesses collapse because they depend on credit, but aviation does not work like that,” he said.

Explaining the name of the airline, he said, “The name of our trading company was already Shankh and the name also has a cultural connotation. That’s why we kept the name of the airline Shankh as well.”

Talking about the company’s finances, Vishwakarma stated that the airline is fully supported by the parent company.

“The aircraft were purchased from external companies through leasing and financing. We do not have any financing restrictions,” he said, adding that the airline was not focusing on competitors’ market shares. “We don’t care about who controls what. Our focus is on improving ourselves.”

Vishwakarma said that beyond logistics and finance, the launch of the airline is also expected to create employment opportunities for youth.

He encouraged young people to ignore social skepticism and focus on their personal development. “The first thing they need to stop worrying about is what people will say. If someone who was once on the move can run an airline, others can too. The difference is just in mentality.”