Dubai-based company AlHind is moving closer to entering the aviation sector, with preparations underway to commence airline operations, marking a significant step in the firm’s expansion and long-term growth strategy within the region.
Dubai firm AlHind prepares to launch airline operations.
The AlHind Group, a company with deep roots and decades of operational history in the UAE, is taking a major step into the aviation sector by financing a new airline focused on India’s domestic market. The venture marks a significant expansion for the group, which has steadily grown its footprint across travel-related industries. Regulatory authorities have already provided the airline with initial approval, allowing it to move closer to the launch phase.
Established in the early 1990s, AlHind has evolved into a diversified travel, tourism, and mobility enterprise with operations spanning multiple segments of the industry. Over the years, the group has built a strong presence by offering services ranging from travel management and tourism solutions to mobility-related businesses. The decision to enter aviation reflects a strategic move to integrate air transport into its broader ecosystem and strengthen its role within the regional and international travel landscape.
The airline, to be known as AlHind Air, will initially focus on serving domestic routes within India. This first phase is designed to establish operational stability, build market recognition, and meet all regulatory and performance benchmarks required by aviation authorities. By concentrating on internal connectivity, the carrier aims to tap into India’s rapidly growing demand for air travel, driven by expanding middle-class populations, increased business mobility, and rising tourism activity.
Once domestic operations are firmly in place, the group plans to gradually expand beyond India’s borders. International services are part of the long-term vision, although these will only be introduced after the airline fulfills all necessary operational, safety, and regulatory conditions. This phased approach reflects a cautious but structured strategy, prioritising compliance and sustainability before scaling further.
For AlHind, the airline represents more than just a new business vertical. It is a continuation of the group’s long-standing involvement in the travel sector, allowing it to offer more integrated services across the customer journey. By adding aviation to its portfolio, the company aims to enhance connectivity between key markets while leveraging its existing expertise in travel and tourism.
The move also underscores the group’s confidence in the long-term potential of the aviation industry, particularly in emerging markets. With regulatory clearance secured and operational planning underway, AlHind Air is positioned as the latest entrant in India’s competitive domestic aviation space, with ambitions that extend well beyond its initial launch.
Last year, Mohammad Haris, the chairman of the AlHind Group, shared details about the company’s upcoming airline venture during an interview with INSIDER 18. According to Haris, the airline will commence operations with a modest initial schedule, operating three flights at the start. This measured approach is intended to ensure operational efficiency, allow the airline to fine-tune processes, and gradually build a strong operational foundation before scaling further. Launching with a limited number of flights also provides the flexibility to monitor demand, manage resources effectively, and address any logistical or regulatory challenges that may arise in the early stages of operation.
Haris explained that the airline’s international expansion is tied directly to the growth of its domestic operations. The plan is for the carrier to begin flying internationally only after it has established a minimum of 20 flights. This phased strategy demonstrates the group’s commitment to sustainable growth and careful planning, rather than rushing into international routes before domestic operations are fully stabilized. The milestone of 20 flights serves as a benchmark to ensure the airline has the operational capacity, experience, and regulatory compliance needed for safe and efficient international services.
The UAE has been selected as the first international destination for AlHind Air. This choice reflects both strategic and cultural considerations. The UAE is a major hub for business, tourism, and trade, and has long-standing economic and social ties with India. Launching international flights to the UAE allows the airline to tap into a high-demand corridor, connecting Indian travelers with a key destination in the Gulf region while also catering to expatriate communities seeking convenient travel options.
By starting small and scaling deliberately, Haris emphasized that AlHind Air aims to balance ambition with pragmatism. The airline’s phased approach—beginning with three domestic flights and expanding to international routes upon reaching operational readiness—illustrates a cautious yet forward-looking strategy, designed to build a strong, reliable, and competitive presence in both domestic and international aviation markets.
On Wednesday, AlHind Air reached a major milestone when it was awarded a “no-objection certificate” (NOC) by India’s civil aviation ministry, making it one of just two carriers to receive this authorization. The approval comes at a critical time for the country’s aviation sector, following a recent crisis involving Indigo Airlines. That incident resulted in the cancellation of approximately 4,500 flights, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across India and abroad. Many travelers from the UAE experienced significant delays, some lasting up to 10 hours, highlighting vulnerabilities in the domestic airline network and the need for increased competition. Indian officials have since reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a more competitive aviation landscape, signaling opportunities for new carriers like AlHind Air to enter the market.
A closer look at the AlHind Group
The story of AlHind Group begins humbly in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Established in 1992 as AlHind Tours and Travels, the company initially focused on travel management, cargo services, and hospitality support. Its early operations were modest, catering to the needs of local travelers and businesses seeking reliable logistical solutions. However, the company’s ambitions were evident from the outset, and within a few years, it began to expand its operations internationally.
By 1995, AlHind had entered the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets, setting the stage for the company to become a global player in travel and mobility services. Under the leadership of founder and director Mohammed Haris, and managed operationally by MD P. V. Valsaraj, the group expanded rapidly. Today, AlHind boasts over 130 branches worldwide, serving millions of travelers across multiple continents. Over the years, the company diversified into various sectors, including hospitality, charter services, foreign currency exchange, IT solutions, and broader travel management services, positioning itself as a comprehensive provider for both leisure and business clients.
Operations and influence in the UAE
AlHind’s footprint in the UAE is particularly significant. Beyond providing tailored travel services for residents, expatriates, and corporate clients, the company also functions as a General Sales Agent (GSA) for several prominent Indian airlines. In this role, AlHind acts as the local commercial representative for the airlines, managing tasks such as ticket sales, marketing initiatives, customer service, and other regional operations. This position allows the company to maintain a strong presence in the aviation ecosystem, giving it insights into market trends and passenger preferences.
Additionally, the group operates the AlHind Business Center, which offers strategic consultancy and company formation services to entrepreneurs and businesses entering the UAE market. This dual approach—serving both consumers and businesses—has helped solidify AlHind’s reputation as a reliable and versatile travel and mobility solutions provider.
The birth of AlHind Air
The airline itself has been in planning for several years. Recognizing the growth potential in India’s domestic aviation market and the increasing demand for affordable, reliable air travel, the AlHind Group decided to leverage its decades of experience in travel management and airline representation to launch its own carrier. AlHind Air will begin operations with a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft, which are well-suited for regional routes and short-haul flights within India. These aircraft provide efficiency and reliability, helping the airline establish a solid operational foundation.
For its Middle East routes, the airline plans to operate an Airbus A320, featuring a business class cabin to cater to premium travelers. A spokesperson for the airline told Khaleej Times that pricing will be a key focus. The company aims to offer some of the lowest fares in the market, particularly to serve the large expatriate population in the UAE. To maintain competitive ticket prices, the airline will adopt a lean operational model, hiring a minimal number of staff while prioritizing efficiency in every aspect of the service.
Planned routes and destinations
According to AlHind Air’s official website, the carrier will initially focus on connecting major Indian states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Goa. These routes were carefully chosen to target high-demand corridors where there is a substantial flow of both domestic travelers and expatriates. By connecting these key regions, AlHind Air aims to provide a reliable alternative to existing carriers, addressing gaps in both capacity and service quality that became apparent during the Indigo crisis.
Strategic vision
AlHind Air’s launch reflects a broader strategy by the AlHind Group to integrate air travel into its existing ecosystem of travel and mobility services. Having operated as a GSA and travel service provider for decades, the company brings valuable market knowledge, operational experience, and customer insights to the airline. This foundation gives AlHind Air a competitive advantage as it enters a crowded and competitive aviation market.
Moreover, the timing of the airline’s launch is strategic. With disruptions affecting other carriers and increasing demand for dependable flight services, the new airline is positioned to capture a segment of the market that values punctuality, affordability, and convenience. By focusing initially on domestic operations before gradually expanding internationally, AlHind Air can ensure steady, sustainable growth while maintaining high operational standards.
Conclusion
The launch of AlHind Air is a natural progression for a company that has built its reputation on trust, efficiency, and customer-centric services. From its origins as a small travel agency in Kerala to becoming a global conglomerate with over 130 branches worldwide, AlHind has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of travelers. Now, with a domestic airline in India and international ambitions on the horizon, the group is poised to strengthen its presence in the aviation industry while providing more options to passengers seeking reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality air travel.
