Shankh Airlines will begin flight operations in January and gradually expand its fleet

Shankh Airlines is expected to begin flight operations in the first half of January, according to Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma. The initial fleet will include three Airbus aircraft, with the carrier aiming to connect Lucknow with Delhi, Mumbai and other metropolitan cities. The airline plans to expand its routes across Uttar Pradesh initially, with two more aircraft expected to join it over the next month and a half.

Vishwakarma said, “At present, the size of the fleet is limited, but as it grows, we will cover the entire country,” noting that international operations are planned for 2028 or 2029.

The main objective of Shankh Airlines is to make air travel accessible to middle class passengers and new travelers. 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 tempo. It should not be considered as something exclusive.”

Vishwakarma explained the origin of the airline saying, “Once the idea struck me, I started understanding the process, how to get the NOC, what are the rules and how the system works. What started as an idea four years ago has now taken shape. »

Regarding financing, the president said: “The aircraft were acquired through leasing and financing from external companies. We have no financing constraints,” noting that the airline has the full support of its parent company. He added: “We don’t worry about who controls what. Our goal is to improve ourselves.”

The airline will not increase ticket prices during the festival season, according to Vishwakarma, although business class fares will be higher than those of competitors. He also said the airline would create employment opportunities for the youth of the region.

Talking about his journey, Vishwakarma said, “I drove automobiles with knowledge and tried a few small businesses, many of which failed,” adding that his career journey gained momentum in 2014 with his entry into the cement business. It then expanded into the fields of TMT steel, mining and transportation.

“Today we have a fleet of over 400 trucks,” he said, calling the company’s growth gradual and organic. “There wasn’t much planning. Things evolved over time.” Vishwakarma also highlighted the strength of aviation, saying, “There is no credit system in aviation. Many businesses collapse because they rely on credit, but aviation doesn’t work that way.

Explaining the name of the airline, Vishwakarma said, “Our trading company was already called Shankh, and the name also has a cultural association. This is why we have also retained the name of the Shankh airline.