- Former Tempo Driver Turned Entrepreneur
- Uttar Pradesh Launches New Airline
- Affordable Flying Focus Announced Nationwide
Article Today, Kanpur:
A former tempo driver from Kanpur has emerged as the founder of a new regional airline, marking a rare entrepreneurial journey in Indian aviation. Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, aged 35, has transitioned from daily wage work to airline ownership after years of business expansion in allied sectors.
Early Years of Struggle
Vishwakarma’s working life began on the congested roads of Kanpur, where he drove a tempo and worked as a loader to support his family. Formal education was limited. However, persistence shaped his ambitions. For several years, his livelihood depended on daily transport work, even as he sought stable opportunities beyond it.
Business Turning Point
In 2014, his prospects changed with entry into the cement trade. The venture grew steadily and later diversified into steel supply, mining-linked logistics, and large-scale transportation. Meanwhile, the creation of a trucking network provided financial stability. In 2022, he incorporated Shankh Agencies Private Limited, strengthening his position in construction materials.
Birth of an Airline Idea
However, frequent exposure to transport costs and passenger constraints led him to examine air travel pricing. Vishwakarma observed that flight tickets often became unaffordable for middle-income travellers, especially during peak seasons. Therefore, he conceptualised Shankh Air with a focus on cost discipline and predictable fares.
Operations Take Shape
In addition, regulatory preparations and fleet planning progressed through 2023 and 2024. The airline plans to commence operations this week with three Airbus aircraft. Two more planes are expected within the next two months. The primary hub will be the upcoming Noida International Airport, with regional connectivity as a priority.
Planned Routes
Initial services will connect Lucknow with Delhi and Mumbai. Meanwhile, routes linking Varanasi and Prayagraj are also scheduled to begin in phases. The airline aims to strengthen intra-north India air connectivity before expanding further.
Service Model
Shankh Air has stated that its pricing strategy will avoid sharp festival-related fare increases. The airline intends to keep operational costs lean while maintaining standard safety and service norms. Therefore, management positions the service as functional rather than premium-focused.
Expansion Outlook
Looking ahead, the airline plans to scale its fleet to 25 aircraft within three years. Preparations are also underway to explore international routes by 2028, subject to regulatory approvals and market demand.
Broader Significance
Vishwakarma’s trajectory reflects a growing trend of first-generation entrepreneurs entering capital-intensive sectors. From Kanpur’s bylanes to commercial aviation, his journey underscores how logistics experience and gradual capital formation can translate into aviation enterprise when aligned with focused planning.
