Shankh Airlines is likely to start flight operations in the first half of January, according to chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma. The initial fleet will consist of three Airbus aircraft, with the aim of connecting Lucknow with Delhi, Mumbai and other metro cities. The airline plans to expand routes through Uttar Pradesh in the first phase, with two additional aircraft expected to be inducted in the next month and a half.

Vishwakarma stated, “Currently, the fleet size is limited, but as it grows, we will cover the entire country,” noting that international operations are slated for 2028 or 2029.

The main objective of Shankh Airlines is to make air travel accessible to middle-class passengers and first-time flyers. The company is designed to challenge the perception of flying as a luxury, he explained. Vishwakarma emphasized, “A plane is just a means of transport, like a bus or a beat. It should not be seen as something exclusive.”

Explaining the origin of the airline, Vishwakarma said, “Once the thought struck me, I started to understand the process, how to get the NOC, what the rules are and how the system works. What started as an idea four years ago has taken shape.”

On financing, the president said: “The aircraft has been acquired on lease and financing from outside companies. We have no financing constraints,” noting that the airline has the full support of its parent company. He added: “We are not concerned about who controls what. Our focus is on improving ourselves.”

The airline will not increase ticket prices during festival seasons, according to Vishwakarma, though business class fares will be priced higher than competitors. He also indicated that the airline will create employment opportunities for the youth of the region.

Talking about his background, Vishwakarma said, “I drove autos with acquaintances and tried a few small businesses, many of which failed,” adding that his entrepreneurial journey gained momentum in 2014 with his entry into the cement trade. It later expanded into TMT steel, mining and transport.

“Today, we have a fleet of more than 400 trucks,” he said, describing the company’s growth as gradual and organic. “There was no great planning. Things evolved over time.” Vishwakarma also highlighted the strength of aviation, stating, “There is no credit system in aviation. Many companies collapse because they depend on credit, but aviation does not work like that.”

Explaining the name of the airline, Vishwakarma said, “Our trading company was already called Shankh, and the name also has a cultural association. That’s why we kept the name of the airline Shankh as well.”