AlHind Air secures Indian regulatory approval, to start with ATR fleet and later introduce Airbus A320 for Middle East routes
DUBAI: The AlHind Group, a Dubai-based travel and tourism conglomerate, has received regulatory approval to launch AlHind Air – a new domestic airline in India that plans eventual expansion to the UAE and other international destinations.
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the carrier, clearing the first major hurdle toward operational launch. The approval comes amid efforts to increase competition in India’s aviation sector following recent mass flight cancellations by existing carriers.
From Travel Agency to Airline Operator
Founded in Kerala in 1992 as a travel management company, AlHind Group expanded to the UAE in 1995 and now operates over 130 branches globally. The group has diverse interests including hospitality, cargo services, money exchange and IT solutions, and serves as a General Sales Agent for several Indian airlines in the Gulf region.
Fleet and Route Strategy
AlHind Air will begin domestic operations with ATR 72-600 aircraft serving South Indian states including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Goa. For planned Middle Eastern routes – with the UAE as the first international destination – the airline will deploy Airbus A320 aircraft featuring business class seating.
Chairman Mohammad Haris previously indicated the airline would start with three domestic flights, expanding to international operations once it reaches 20 aircraft. Company representatives emphasize a lean operational model aimed at keeping fares competitive, particularly for UAE expatriates.
Market Context
The launch follows recent disruptions in Indian aviation, including an IndiGo scheduling crisis that affected thousands of passengers, with some UAE travelers experiencing delays up to 10 hours. Indian authorities have explicitly encouraged new market entrants to enhance competition and service reliability.
AlHind Air’s established travel network and Gulf region expertise position it uniquely to serve the substantial India-UAE travel corridor, one of the world’s busiest international routes.
