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Uttar Pradesh’s first homegrown airline, Shankh Air, takes flight in 2026

From tempo driver to airline founder: How Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma’s grit built UP’s first scheduled carrier. A new chapter for regional aviation begins.

, and Administrator

2026 January 1 . 9:10 AM

1 min read

Uttar Pradesh’s first homegrown airline, Shankh Air, takes flight in 2026

Uttar Pradesh is set to welcome its first homegrown scheduled airline, Shankh Air, in early 2026. Founded by entrepreneur Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, the carrier marks a significant milestone in the state’s aviation sector. The airline has already secured key approvals and plans to begin flights in January next year.

The journey of Shankh Air began in 2025, when Vishwakarma, a self-made businessman, established the company. His rise from working as a loader and tempo driver in Kanpur to building a thriving empire in steel, cement, and transport has become an inspiring success story in India. By December 24, 2025, the airline had obtained its No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, clearing the way for operations.

Shankh Air will launch with a fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline also plans to introduce fourth-generation Boeing 737 MAX planes in the future. Its primary hubs will be based at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. These locations will serve as key operational centers for the carrier’s network.

With its first flights scheduled for January 2026, Shankh Air will become Uttar Pradesh’s first locally founded airline. The venture reflects both Vishwakarma’s entrepreneurial drive and the state’s growing aviation ambitions. The airline’s launch is expected to improve regional connectivity and create new opportunities in the sector.