By: Dr. Avi Verma

India’s aviation sector is experiencing significant growth in 2025, driven by economic expansion, rising middle-class incomes, and increasing demand for regional and international connectivity. As domestic travel rebounds and international routes expand, several new players are entering the Indian skies, signaling strong investor confidence in the future of Indian aviation.

New airlines taking off in 2025

Shankh Air, based in Uttar Pradesh, has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is targeting a launch in May 2025, pending final clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline plans to operate Airbus A320-200 aircraft, connecting cities like Lucknow and Noida to major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata .

Air Kerala and Alhind Air, both based in Kerala, have also secured NOCs and are in the process of obtaining Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Air Kerala plans to commence operations in 2025 with a fleet of three ATR 72-600 aircraft, focusing on regional commuter services .

Fly91, a regional carrier launched in March 2024 from Goa, is already serving tier-2 and tier-3 cities, including Sindhudurg, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Lakshadweep. Operating ATR 72-600 aircraft, Fly91 plans to expand its fleet to six aircraft by the end of 2024, continuing its mission to link underserved regions of India .

Akasa Air and the rise of homegrown giants

Akasa Air, India’s youngest full-service carrier, which commenced operations in 2022, is continuing its aggressive expansion. In January 2024, the airline placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, bringing its total order book to 226 aircraft . Akasa Air launched its first international flight to Doha in March 2025 and is targeting several destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia . The airline aims to double its fleet in the next 16–20 months, underlining the scale of its ambition.

A market on the rise

India has become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, following the United States and China, according to data by aviation analytics firm OAG . In 2024 alone, domestic air traffic crossed 150 million passengers, and international traffic is rising steadily post-pandemic.

The government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme has played a key role in driving regional connectivity and encouraging smaller carriers to expand operations to less accessible towns and cities. Incentives, tax breaks, and infrastructure improvements are helping make the airline business more viable across regions.

Challenges remain, but outlook is bright

While the aviation sector faces challenges such as rising fuel costs and global supply chain issues impacting aircraft deliveries, the demand-side story remains strong. The combination of economic momentum, a tech-savvy young population, and improving infrastructure is ensuring that India remains one of the most exciting aviation markets globally.

With new players entering the skies, regional routes flourishing, and international expansion accelerating, 2025 marks a turning point for Indian aviation—where the sky is no longer the limit, but just the beginning.

Uber partners with May Mobility to introduce autonomous ride-hailing in U.S. cities

Uber Technologies has announced a partnership with May Mobility, a Michigan-based autonomous vehicle startup, to deploy thousands of self-driving vehicles on its ride-hailing platform across U.S. cities. The initiative will commence in Arlington, Texas, by late 2025, with plans to expand to other cities in 2026. Initially, the service will utilize Toyota Sienna hybrid minivans equipped with safety drivers, transitioning to fully autonomous operations over time. May Mobility, backed by investors including Toyota and BMW, has raised over $380 million and specializes in autonomous rideshare services within geofenced areas. This collaboration is non-exclusive; May Mobility also works with Lyft, and Uber has existing partnerships with companies like Waymo and WeRide to strengthen its position in the autonomous vehicle market.