India’s newest carrier, Shankh Airlines, is likely to begin flight operations in the first half of January with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft. The airline will operate between the cities of Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, and other major urban cities, Shankh Airlines Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma told PTI in an interaction . Once it expands its aircraft capacity, the airline would operate flights between various domestic routes, he further added.
Home-centred approach before international arrangements
Vishwakarma stated that the international routes are part of the long-term plan and are expected to kick-start sometime around 2028-2029. “At present, the fleet size is limited, but as it grows, we will cover the entire country," he emphasised.
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Making air travel accessible
As per a report by the Economic Times, Shankh Airlines' founders' objective is that airlines must make travel by air accessible to common people and first-time travellers. Shankh Airlines wants to break the perception that travel by air is not for everyone but is an elite mode of travel. "An aircraft is just a means of transport, like a bus or a tempo. It should not be seen as something exclusive," said Vishwakarma.
From humble beginnings to aviation
Reminiscing about the journey of the airline, the 35-year-old entrepreneur said that the idea to foray into the aviation sector popped into his mind close to four years ago. Understanding the regulations, from the acquisition of the No Objection Certificate (NOC), took him years when the idea about the airline translated into reality. Having come from a humble background, big dreams were considered foolish fantasies. “In the circumstances we grew up, just earning a livelihood was seen as enough. Dreaming beyond that was almost unthinkable”, Economic Times quoted him as saying.
Since having a little formal education, Vishwakarma had a start with the operation of auto trucks as well as attempting various businesses, most of which flopped. But since 2014, his business expansion accelerated as his companies dealt with cement production, production of TMT Steel, mining, and transport. Today, his group owns over 400 trucks. The chairman of Shankh Airlines claimed they received complete support from their parent firm.
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Affordable travel with business-class options
Regarding fares, Vishwakarma said that fares shall not be increased during festival seasons, but business class fares may be higher than those of competitors. Vishwakarma stated that his venture shall provide job opportunities to the youth. Moreover, he conveyed an inspiring message to the youth, saying, "The first thing they should stop worrying about is what people will say. If someone who once drove a tempo can run an airline, others can also move ahead. The difference is only in mindset."
