This story, of a man rising from the streets of Kanpur to the skies of India, sounds like something out of a movie script, but it’s true. The man who once drove a tempo in Kanpur, took dips in the Ganges, and lived an ordinary life, is now starting his own airline. His name is Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma. He had a dream of making air travel accessible to even those who wear flip-flops, and 26 months ago, he introduced Uttar Pradesh’s first airline. He named it Shankh Airlines.
It received approval on Thursday, December 24th. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three airlines, including Shankh Airlines. The other two are Al Hind Air and Fly Express. Now the question is, who is Shravan Kumar and what is his complete plan?
Who is Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma?
Shravan Kumar is the founder and chairman of Shankh Airlines. He hails from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Born into a middle-class family, Shravan says he wasn’t very interested in studies. Friendships and circumstances led him to drop out of school early. After that, he ventured into the business world and gradually established himself. His first major business was in TMT steel. Later, he tried his hand in the cement, mining, and transport sectors. He built a large fleet of trucks, and this is where he made his mark as a businessman.
The journey from driving a tempo to owning a business
Shravan Kumar himself has said that he not only traveled in tempos but also drove his friends’ tempos. According to Shravan Kumar, “A man who rises from the bottom sees everything – bicycles, buses, trains, tempos.” This experience has become the greatest strength of his vision today.
How did the idea for the airline come about?
About 3-4 years ago, Shravan Kumar developed a passion for doing something different. He believed that aviation is the growth industry of the future. People want to save time, and air travel has now become a necessity. During a trip, he realized there was a huge shortage of affordable and reliable airlines for the middle class – this is where the idea for Shankh Airlines was born.
Why the name Shankh for the airline?
Shravan Kumar explains that the name ‘Shankh’ was not new to him. His existing company also had the same name. This name, with its religious and cultural significance, appealed to him. Every home has a conch shell (shankh), but not everyone can blow it. Shravan says, “We also want to do something similar, something that everyone has, but which creates a unique identity.”
What will the ticket prices be like?
Shravan Kumar’s biggest claim is: no dynamic pricing. He clearly states that a ticket costing ₹5,000 in the morning will not cost ₹25,000 in the evening. Whether it’s Holi, Diwali, Chhath Puja, Kumbh Mela, or even if demand increases… his airline’s fares will not skyrocket. His focus is on the middle class. Fixed rates, limited profit, and reliable service – this will be the model for Shankh Airlines.
What did he say about big airlines like IndiGo?
Shravan is very frank about big airlines like IndiGo and Air India. He says, “They are flying in their space, we will fly in ours. Today someone has 60% of the market, tomorrow it will be someone else. I am not concerned about the competition, I am concerned about my work.”
Which aircraft will be used?
Initially, Shankh Airlines will operate with Airbus A320 aircraft. The plan was initially for Boeing 737s, but due to technical reasons, the Airbus was chosen. Currently, 3 aircraft are ready, and the target is:
- Fleet of 10+ aircraft by 2025
- 15–25 aircraft by 2026–27
- International flights after 2026
Where will Shankh Airlines’ head office be located?
Shankh Airlines’ head office will be in Lucknow. The first flight will also originate from Uttar Pradesh – either from Lucknow or Jewar airport. Shravan says, “Since UP has made me who I am, the first flight will also be from here.” The plan is to connect cities like Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Prayagraj with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai.
What is the company’s value and net worth?
Shankh Airlines was started in 2022 as Shankh Agency Pvt Ltd, with a reported share capital of approximately 50 crore rupees. After entering the aviation sector, the company’s name was changed to Shankh Aviation Pvt Ltd on October 26, 2023. The investment, including aircraft, leases, financing, and infrastructure, runs into hundreds of crores of rupees. Although Shravan Kumar does not openly disclose his net worth, his businesses spanning transportation, mining, and aviation make him a formidable businessman.
He calls himself ‘the boy from Kanpur’
Even today, Shravan Kumar calls himself ‘the boy from Kanpur’. The Ganges, the tempo (auto-rickshaw), and the struggle… all are part of his identity. He believes that only someone who has come from humble beginnings can understand the problems of the common man and truly work for the middle class.
This story, from tempo to take-off, is not just a story of a business, but a story of courage, risk-taking, and changing perspectives, and now the country’s eyes are fixed on Shankh Airlines’ first flight.
