The rise of Shankh Air has emerged as one of modern India’s most inspiring entrepreneurial stories, symbolising grit, ambition and determination. The airline, founded by Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, a native of Uttar Pradesh, reflects a journey that stretches from humble beginnings to the heights of the aviation industry.
Just seven years ago, the 35-year-old entrepreneur was working as a loader and tempo driver in Kanpur, struggling to stabilise his livelihood. But with unwavering determination and the success of his later ventures in steel, cement and transport businesses, Vishwakarma gradually generated the financial strength to chase a dream he had carried since childhood — creating Uttar Pradesh’s first locally established airline.
Shankh Air to Take Off in Early 2026
Shankh Air has already received its No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, clearing a major hurdle towards operations. The airline is expected to begin services in early 2026, with initial plans pointing to a January launch window.
The airline will start operations with three Airbus aircraft, focusing initially on connecting Lucknow with major Indian metro cities including Delhi and Mumbai, Chairman Vishwakarma confirmed on Tuesday. The goal, he said, is not just to run an airline, but to connect Uttar Pradesh more strongly with the nation’s economic hubs.
From Tempo Driver to Airline Owner
According to reports, Vishwakarma comes from a middle-class family in Kanpur and never had a strong inclination towards academics as a child. His early life was dominated by financial challenges and odd jobs.
He openly acknowledges that he has not only travelled in tempos — he has driven them for a living.
“A person coming from the bottom up sees everything — bicycles, buses, trains, tempos — everything,” he said.
He tried multiple small businesses, many of which failed. Things began to change in 2014, when he entered the cement business, which marked the turning point of his entrepreneurial journey.
His first major breakthrough came through the TMT rebar industry, followed by expansions into cement, mining and transport. Building a significant fleet of trucks gave him both stability and identity in the business world — laying the foundation for what would eventually become Shankh Air.
How Shankh Air Took Shape
Vishwakarma shared that the idea of entering aviation came to him about four years ago.
Once the thought took root, he began studying aviation processes, requirements for approvals, NOC procedures, regulations and industry systems. Step by step, what began as an ambitious thought gradually transformed into a viable corporate reality.
Coming from a modest background, Vishwakarma admits that even dreaming big once seemed unrealistic.
“In the circumstances we grew up, just earning a livelihood was seen as enough. Dreaming beyond that was almost unthinkable,” he said.
Yet, his ambition went beyond personal success — he wanted to make air travel more accessible.
To him, an aircraft is simply another mode of transport.
“An aircraft is just a means of transport, like a bus or a tempo. It should not be seen as something exclusive,” he said.
With Shankh Air preparing to take flight, Vishwakarma’s journey stands as a reminder that determination, opportunity and vision can truly redefine destiny.