India Set to Launch Three New Airlines in 2025: Air Kerala, Alhind Air, and Shankh Air to Boost Regional and Niche Connectivity

India’s dynamic aviation sector is gearing up for a major boost in 2025 with the launch of three new airlines—Air Kerala, Alhind Air, and Shankh Air. These new entrants are expected to diversify domestic and international air travel options, enhance regional connectivity, and cater to specific travel segments such as diaspora passengers and spiritual tourism.

According to sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, these airlines have either received or are in the final stages of acquiring the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOC) and regulatory approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Their proposed services are scheduled to begin in early to mid-2025.

1. Air Kerala – Reconnecting Kerala with the Gulf
Air Kerala is a long-awaited project, especially among the Kerala diaspora in the Gulf countries. Backed by the Kerala government’s industrial development arm, the airline aims to offer affordable international flights connecting Kerala with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

• Objective: Address high airfares and limited direct connectivity between Kerala and the Gulf.
• Target Audience: Non-resident Keralites (NRKs), migrant workers, and families in the Gulf region.
• Expected Launch: 2025 (pending regulatory approvals)

Air Kerala’s introduction is anticipated to improve air travel access from smaller airports like Kozhikode, Kannur, and Thiruvananthapuram, which are underserved by current international carriers.

2. Alhind Air – From Travel Giant to Airline Operator
Alhind Air is an initiative by Alhind Tours and Travels, one of India’s prominent travel service providers with a strong presence in the Middle East and South India. Leveraging its customer base and experience, Alhind Air will focus on regional connectivity and international charter flights, especially between India and the Gulf.

• Objective: Provide reliable and budget-friendly options for the Indian expat community.
• Unique Positioning: Backed by a trusted travel company with deep market insights.
• Service Model: Likely to begin operations with leased aircraft under a low-cost model.

Alhind Air is expected to further democratize air travel for Indian migrant workers and travelers to the Middle East.

3. Shankh Air – Spiritual and Pilgrimage Travel Takes Flight
Shankh Air brings a unique value proposition to India’s aviation landscape—it will primarily cater to pilgrimage and spiritual tourism. In a country with a rich spiritual heritage and millions of religious travelers, this airline aims to bridge key pilgrimage corridors.

• Objective: Offer direct connectivity to spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Tirupati, Shirdi, and Amritsar.
• Target Audience: Pilgrims, senior citizens, tour operators, and religious groups.
• Service Focus: Comfortable, scheduled flights and customized tour packages for spiritual circuits.

Shankh Air is expected to revolutionize pilgrimage travel with specialized onboard experiences and dedicated routes for religious festivals and yatras.

India’s Aviation Market in 2025: Growth and Competition
With these three new airlines entering the skies, India’s already competitive aviation market is poised for further evolution. The country has seen a resurgence in air travel demand post-COVID, and the expansion of regional airports under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme has created new opportunities for tier-2 and tier-3 city connectivity.

According to industry experts, the entry of niche carriers like Air Kerala, Alhind Air, and Shankh Air will:

• Reduce fare monopolies on specific routes
• Enhance travel accessibility to underserved regions
• Foster competition and innovation in customer service
• Open new opportunities in spiritual, ethnic, and labor market-based travel sectors