New Delhi: Amid the IndiGo crisis that grounded over 5,000 flights in December 2025, leaving thousands stranded, the Indian government has swiftly approved three new airlines—Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air—to launch in 2026, injecting fresh competition into the aviation duopoly dominated by IndiGo and Air India. This move promises cheaper air travel, enhanced regional connectivity under UDAN schemes, and more reliable domestic flights for budget-conscious travellers eyeing 2026 holidays or business trips. As NOCs pave the way for operational growth, expect fare wars and expanded routes to transform India’s skies.​

Dive into this interactive blog: Which new airline excites you most for your next getaway? Share in comments below! With the IndiGo crisis fallout spotlighting vulnerabilities, these entrants could slash ticket prices by 10-20% on key routes, benefiting millions planning affordable air travel in 2026 amid booming demand.​

Three new airlines launching in 2026

The Civil Aviation Ministry granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Al Hind Air and FlyExpress this week, joining Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air (already NOC-approved), following the IndiGo operational meltdown from pilot duty regulations that cancelled 1,600 flights in a day. This timely nod aims to break the 90 per cent market duopoly, foster competition, and stabilise domestic aviation for 2026 launches, potentially adding 20-25 aircraft fleets per carrier within years.​

Al Hind Air: Promoted by Kerala-based Alhind Group with expertise in travel services, this carrier targets southern India routes using ATR Turboprop aircraft for efficient regional connectivity. Aiming for Air Operator Certificate soon, it focuses on underserved UDAN destinations, promising low-cost flights from hubs like Kochi and Trivandrum, enhancing access to tier-2 cities and boosting affordable air travel amid IndiGo crisis recovery.​

FlyExpress: A fresh domestic entrant eyeing high-demand routes, FlyExpress received its NOC post-IndiGo disruptions to capitalise on market gaps. Plans include rapid fleet build-up for metro-to-regional links, leveraging strong air travel demand in 2026; travellers can anticipate competitive fares on popular corridors like Delhi-Mumbai-Bengaluru, promoting cheaper flights and choice in India’s aviation boom.​

Shankh Air: Uttar Pradesh’s first scheduled airline, Shankh Air hubs at Noida International Airport (Jewar), operating as a full-service carrier with multiple cabin classes. Set for Q1 2026 launch after technical reviews, it eyes 20-25 aircraft expansion in 2-3 years, focusing on northern regional connectivity under UDAN, offering premium yet accessible options post-IndiGo crisis.​

How to plan a cheaper travel in 2026

• Monitor DGCA updates and airline websites for launch schedules—book early on new routes like Jewar-Kochi via Shankh Air or southern hops with Al Hind for 10-15% fare drops amid competition.​




• Use fare aggregators like EaseMyTrip or Skyscanner to compare new airlines against IndiGo; target UDAN regional flights for subsidies, slashing costs on tier-2 routes by up to 20% in 2026.​




• Opt for flexible dates in Q1-Q2 2026 when fleets ramp up—bundle with FlyExpress for metro bundles, hedging against disruptions while scoring cheaper air travel deals.​




• Join loyalty programmes from day one for perks; pair with UDAN incentives for family trips, turning IndiGo crisis lessons into smarter, budget-friendly 2026 itineraries.​

These new airlines signal brighter skies ahead—bookmark for 2026 bookings.