As the civil aviation ministry provides regulatory permits, the entrance of Al Hind Air and FlyExpress is expected to transform India's aviation environment.
In an effort to increase competition in the nation's rapidly growing aviation business, India has granted first regulatory authorization to two new carriers, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated in a post on X on Tuesday that both airlines received no-objection certifications (NOCs) this week from the ministry.
The approvals follow massive flight disruptions earlier this month, when IndiGo canceled thousands of flights and sparked worries about its monopoly in the Indian aviation market. According to a Reuters study, IndiGo now owns roughly 65% of India's domestic market, with the Air India Group holding about 27%. This leaves little space for other carriers.
What we know about FlyExpress and Al Hind Air
According to the article, Al Hind Air, which is supported by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, intends to fly ATR turboprop aircraft and will start operations mainly in southern India. The airline is currently working to obtain its Air Operator Certificate, which is a crucial legal prerequisite before it can start offering commercial services.
Al Hind Air "is preparing to make its debut in the aviation industry as a regional commuter airline, with operations scheduled to commence later this year," according to a statement on the airline's website.
The message states, "The airline will start its journey with a fleet of ATR 72-600 model aircraft, initially focusing on providing efficient and reliable domestic air travel."
Al Hind, which is based at the Kochi hub, claims that it is actively working with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to guarantee a smooth setup of its operational base.
According to the article, FlyExpress, the second airline to acquire a NOC, has stated that it is getting ready to begin operations shortly, although specifics about its fleet and route network have not yet been made public.
According to an ANI news agency report, civil aviation minister Naidu claimed to have met with teams from Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air, another potential carrier that had already obtained its NOC, within the last week.
According to the minister, policy assistance and programs like the UDAN regional connectivity scheme have made India one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, and the government is actively encouraging new carriers to fly there.
According to the minister, smaller carriers like Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have increased regional connections under UDAN, indicating room for expansion by newcomers like Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. The need for more carriers has become more pressing since crew management problems and the introduction of new flight duty time limits regulations were connected to the IndiGo disruptions.
According to ANI, Naidu claimed that other airlines had adapted to the updated duty standards and that the recent interruption was more indicative of problems with IndiGo's internal management than of systemic regulatory issues.
According to a PTI report, there are currently nine scheduled domestic airlines operating in India, but the industry has also experienced exits in recent years, with companies like Jet Airways and Go First stopping operations due to financial difficulties.
In India's quickly expanding domestic aviation sector, the arrival of Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, which are anticipated to become closer to debut over the course of the next year, is viewed as a step toward reducing worries about a duopoly and bolstering competition.
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