Shankh Airlines, whose name has cultural significance, was founded by its Chairman, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma. The entrepreneur’s core objective is to make air travel accessible to middle-class passengers and first-time flyers. India’s Civil Aviation Authority has granted permission to the airline, marking a significant shift in airline operations and setting the stage for increased competition and connectivity. The new entrant has also received the No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The recent chaos in the aviation sector has left countless citizens stranded, exposing structural inefficiencies in airline operations. These disruptions have not only caused widespread inconvenience but have also highlighted systemic weaknesses in planning, management, and crisis response within the industry. At the same time, the situation has intensified concerns about the growing concentration of the aviation sector in the hands of a few players.
Shankh’s Long Term Objectives
The airline is set to commence operations in early January with an initial fleet of three Airbus planes. The first phase will connect Lucknow to major metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, along with other key cities across the country. In addition to these metro routes, the airline plans to strengthen regional air connectivity by introducing services to multiple destinations within Uttar Pradesh.
The airline’s long-term goals include international flights by the year 2028. Vishwakarma noted that credit systems are a major reason why many businesses fail, and highlighted that the aviation sector’s strong cash flow is one of its biggest assets, as it does not rely heavily on such systems. While the current fleet size is small, he has extensive plans for nationwide expansion and strengthening the airline’s presence.
The airline also plans to maintain stable ticket prices, even during peak travel seasons such as festivals. However, business-class fares are expected to be higher than those offered by competitors. Additionally, the airline emphasizes generating employment opportunities, particularly for young people, as part of its broader growth and expansion vision.
A Journey Towards Sky
The journey of this 35-year-old entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. He firmly believes that air travel should be viewed as a basic mode of transportation, no different from a bus or a tempo, rather than a luxury reserved for a select few. This belief became the foundation of his vision.
Coming from a modest middle-class background, he once believed that having such dreams was unrealistic. “In the circumstances we grew up in, just earning a livelihood was seen as enough. Dreaming beyond that was almost unthinkable,” he said. However, Vishwakarma spent years understanding the intricacies of airline operations. Through persistent learning, research, and hands-on effort, his vision gradually evolved from a simple idea into a well-defined plan.
He also serves as a guiding voice for today’s youth, encouraging them to remain focused on their goals and not be trapped by the opinions of others. Drawing from his own journey, he notes that if someone who once drove tempos for a living can go on to run an airline, others too can rise beyond their circumstances.
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