India’s aviation sector is set to welcome a new entrant as Shankh Airlines prepares to commence flight operations in the first half of January. The announcement was confirmed by the airline’s Chairman, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, who outlined the carrier’s phased growth strategy, fleet plans, and long-term vision.
Shankh Airlines will begin operations with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft, focusing on connecting Lucknow with major metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. Additional metro destinations are also expected to be added as operations stabilise. In the first phase, the airline aims to strengthen air connectivity across Uttar Pradesh, a region with growing demand for affordable and reliable air travel.
According to Vishwakarma, fleet expansion is already underway, with two more aircraft scheduled to join operations within the next one to one-and-a-half months. “Our current fleet is modest, but this is only the beginning,” he said, adding that as capacity increases, the airline plans to expand its network nationwide. International routes are on the roadmap as well, with overseas operations targeted for 2028 or 2029.
At the heart of Shankh Airlines’ strategy is a clear focus on affordability and accessibility. The airline intends to cater primarily to middle-class passengers and first-time flyers, challenging the long-held perception that air travel is a premium or luxury experience. Vishwakarma emphasised that flying should be viewed as a basic mode of transportation rather than an exclusive service. “An aircraft is simply another means of travel, like a bus or a tempo. It should be accessible to everyone,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the airline’s journey, Vishwakarma shared that the idea for Shankh Airlines first emerged nearly four years ago. What began as a simple thought gradually evolved into a full-fledged aviation venture as he familiarised himself with regulatory requirements, no-objection certificates, and the operational framework of the aviation industry. “Once the idea struck me, I started understanding how the system works. Over time, that idea took shape,” he said.
Addressing questions around funding and financial stability, Vishwakarma clarified that the airline does not face capital constraints. The aircraft have been acquired through leasing and financing arrangements with external companies, while the venture itself is fully supported by its parent group. “We are not worried about who controls what. Our attention is on strengthening operations and improving ourselves,” he stated.
In a move that could appeal strongly to cost-conscious travellers, Shankh Airlines does not plan to hike ticket prices during peak festival seasons. However, Vishwakarma noted that business-class fares will be positioned slightly higher than those of competing carriers, reflecting differentiated service offerings. The airline also expects to generate employment opportunities for young professionals across the region as operations scale up.
Vishwakarma’s own journey into entrepreneurship has been anything but conventional. He recalled driving auto-rickshaws with friends and experimenting with several small business ventures, many of which did not succeed. His turning point came in 2014, when he entered the cement trade, followed by expansion into TMT steel, mining, and transportation.
Today, his group operates a logistics fleet of over 400 trucks, a growth story he describes as steady and organic rather than meticulously planned. “There was no grand blueprint. Things evolved gradually,” he said. He also highlighted a key structural advantage of the aviation industry, pointing out that it operates without a traditional credit cycle. “Many businesses fail because they rely heavily on credit. Aviation doesn’t function that way, which brings financial discipline,” he explained.
The airline’s name, Vishwakarma added, carries both business continuity and cultural significance. “Our trading firm was already called Shankh, and the name also has a strong cultural association. That’s why we chose to carry it forward for the airline as well,” he said.
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With its emphasis on affordability, disciplined growth, and regional connectivity, Shankh Airlines is positioning itself as a people-focused carrier aiming to reshape how air travel is perceived by India’s emerging flying population.
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