3 New Airlines Fueling India’s Aviation Growth: How Shankh Air, Alhind Air & Air Kerala Are Redefining Regional Connectivity

Table of Contents:

1. India’s Expanding Aviation Landscape

2. Shankh Air – Connecting Regional India

3. Alhind Air – Strengthening Gulf Connectivity

4. Air Kerala – Empowering Southern India’s Air Network

5. Economic & Employment Impact

6. Career Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Students

7. Conclusion

8. FAQs

India’s Expanding Aviation Landscape with 3 New Airlines

India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, and the momentum continues to rise. The country’s growing middle-class population, improving airport infrastructure, and increased demand for air travel have created fertile ground for new airlines to enter the market.

Against this backdrop, three upcoming carriers — Shankh Air, Alhind Air, and Air Kerala — are set to reshape the skies. Their entry promises not just better connectivity but also greater inclusivity, economic growth, and career opportunities within the travel and tourism ecosystem.

2. Shankh Air – Connecting Regional India

Shankh Air is designed to bridge the connectivity gap between tier-2 and tier-3 cities, aligning with the Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) initiative. The airline’s vision is to make air travel more accessible and affordable for regional passengers.

By introducing short-haul domestic routes, Shankh Air will play a crucial role in connecting smaller cities with major hubs, reducing travel time, and encouraging tourism in lesser-known destinations.

For instance, routes between cities like Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mysuru, or Ranchi could soon see regular flight services — a huge boost for regional tourism, business travel, and local employment.

3. Alhind Air – Strengthening Gulf Connectivity

Alhind Air, backed by one of India’s reputed travel groups, is entering the aviation market with a strategic focus on Gulf destinations. Millions of Indian expatriates reside in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar — and Alhind Air aims to simplify travel between India and the Middle East. The airline will not only serve major metros but also operate from secondary airports like Calicut, Mangalore, and Kannur — providing direct and affordable options to the expat community. This focus is expected to stimulate tourism and trade between India and Gulf countries while creating numerous opportunities for travel agents, tour operators, and aviation service providers.

4. Air Kerala – Empowering Southern India’s Air Network

Air Kerala has long been anticipated by travelers and industry professionals alike. Based in Kerala, this airline plans to enhance connectivity within South India and strengthen links with Gulf destinations.Kerala already contributes a significant share to India’s outbound tourism and remittance economy. By offering direct routes and improved accessibility, Air Kerala aims to make travel more efficient for business, leisure, and family travelers alike.

The airline is expected to complement Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports, adding a vital layer to regional connectivity and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in ground handling, customer service, and airline operations.

5. Economic & Employment Impact

The combined entry of these three airlines marks a turning point for India’s aviation sector. The Ministry of Civil Aviation projects that India’s air passenger traffic will surpass 400 million by 2030, leading to large-scale investments in infrastructure, aircraft, and manpower.

Each new airline adds to this growth by: Generating direct employment in flight operations, cabin crew, and ground services. Creating indirect jobs in travel agencies, hospitality, and tourism logistics. Boosting domestic tourism by improving accessibility to smaller destinations. This expansion also strengthens India’s position as a global travel hub, attracting investments and international airline partnerships.

6. Career Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Students

For students pursuing travel, tourism, and aviation management, this is the ideal time to prepare for high-demand roles. Airlines and allied sectors require professionals skilled in:

• Airport operations and ground handling

• Airline customer service and reservations

• Travel consultancy and tour coordination

• Cabin crew and in-flight services

• Aviation logistics and hospitality management

Institutions like Travind Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (Ind Pvt Ltd) specialize in career-oriented programs that train students in these practical, industry-relevant skills — ensuring they are job-ready as the sector expands.

India’s aviation industry is flying into a promising new phase with Shankh Air, Alhind Air, and Air Kerala leading the charge. Their entry will bring affordable air travel, enhanced connectivity, and new career opportunities for thousands.

As these airlines take off, the skies will not only carry more passengers — but also the dreams of future travel professionals ready to shape the next generation of global aviation.

8. FAQs

Q1. Which are the new airlines launching in India? The three upcoming airlines are Shankh Air, Alhind Air, and Air Kerala, each focusing on different regional and international markets.

Q2. How will these new airlines benefit India’s tourism sector? They will boost domestic and international connectivity, make air travel more affordable, and promote tourism in emerging destinations.

Q3. What is the expected impact on employment?

Thousands of jobs are expected in airline operations, ground handling, travel management, and hospitality, creating opportunities for trained professionals.

Q4. Why is Air Kerala significant?

Air Kerala aims to improve southern India’s aviation network and provide affordable Gulf connectivity for the large expatriate community.

Q5. How can students prepare for aviation careers?

By pursuing professional travel and aviation courses from institutes like Travind, which emphasize hands-on training, industry exposure, and placement support.