Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma’s first job was driving a tempo between Kanpur and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. He later moved into cement trading, steel rebaring, and sand mining, before returning to transport, this time as an owner. The high-school dropout who once earned about Rs 200 a day now runs a fleet of 400 vehicles.

At 35, he wants to add an airline to that fleet.

Vishwakarma’s Shankh Air plans to start with three Airbus A320sA standard single-aisle passenger jet typically used for short- to medium-haul routes, seating roughly 150–180 passengers. on wet leasesRenting an aircraft with its crew, maintenance and insurance included, rather than just taking the plane. (Dry lease: You rent just the plane.), with two A321sA larger, longer version of the A320, typically seating around 180–220 passengers and carrying more passengers over longer distances. to follow, according to two executives working with the company. It has spent the past two years preparing for takeoff.

In March 2024, Shankh announcedTOIShankh Air to make Noida.. plans to make Noida International Airport its primary hub. Two months later, it opened a counter at Lucknow airport. By February 2025, its ground-operations team began meeting airport officials and preparing to handle its own check-in, baggage handling, and ramp services. 

“There was just one thing missing,” as an executive put it, “an airline to operate them.” 

Shankh does hold a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. But it is still awaiting the final Air Operator Certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)—the final licence it needs to actually fly passengers.

That hasn’t stopped the airline from announcing launch dates. It first promised flights by May last year, then pushed it to January this year. It’s now aimingNDTVUpcoming Airlines Shankh Air, Al Hind Delay Launch As West Asia Crisis Hits Plans | Exclusive for sometime next year. 

Shankh Air is hardly alone.