• This decision was taken by the MoCA after mass cancellations by Interglobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo), India’s largest airline, nearly crippled one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets.

• What? Granting of NOCs to New Airlines
• Name of Airlines: Al Hind Air, FlyExpress and Shank Air (UP)
• Granted by: MoCA
• Operationalize in: 2026

Key Details:
AOC Certificate: These newly approved airlines are now required to secure an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the MoCA.
About New Airlines:

• Al-Hind is owned by Kerala-based travel and tourism conglomerate, Alhind Group.
• FlyExpress is supported by Hyderabad(Telangana) based  courier and cargo services company.
• Shank Air is currently being launched by Uttar Pradesh(UP’s) Shank Aviation Private Limited. It aims to operate from Noida International Airport.

Status of India’s Domestic Aviation Market: 
Monopoly of Two Major Air Groups: At present, India’s domestic aviation market is dominated by IndiGo and Tata-owned Air India Group. 

• Together, these airlines account for nearly 90% of passenger traffic.
• Currently, IndiGo alone accounts for over 65% of the market share; followed by Air India Group which holds about 27%.

Domestic Airlines in India: Apart from IndiGo and Air India Group (including Air India, Air India Express ), other scheduled domestic airlines currently operating in India are: Alliance Air, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91, and IndiaOne Air.
About Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA):
Union Minister- Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (Constituency- Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, AP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Murlidhar Kisan Mohol (Constituency- Pune, Maharashtra)