In a remarkable twist in India’s aviation landscape, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma, a man who once earned his livelihood driving a tempo in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is now at the helm of a new airline — Shankh Air. What started on the dusty roads of small towns has grown into a dream of connecting cities across India by air.
Early Struggle:
Shravan was born into a middle-class family in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In his early life, he faced financial hardship and limited educational opportunities. To support himself, he took up odd jobs — including driving tempos and autos — navigating the city’s busy roads while thinking of bigger possibilities.
Like many entrepreneurs, he started several small ventures early on. Some failed, and others barely sustained him. But in 2014, Shravan’s fortunes began to change when he entered the cement and steel (TMT rebar) trade, which marked his first major business success.
Over time, Shravan expanded his activities to include:
- Cement and building materials trade
- Mining operations
- Logistics and transport, with a fleet of over 400 trucks.
The Birth of Shankh Air:
About four years ago, Shravan conceived the idea of starting an airline. Unlike many aviation entrants that emerge from established corporate houses, his plan began with extensive self-learning. With determination, he navigated regulatory requirements and logistics to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation — a major milestone in airline creation.
Shankh Air is being positioned as Uttar Pradesh’s first home-grown airline, set to begin operations in early 2026, with:
- An initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft.
- Routes connecting Lucknow with Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities.
- Plans to extend service to other parts of India and eventually international routes by 2028–29.
The journey of Shankh Air — from the streets of Kanpur to India’s aviation map — is far from ordinary. It blends entrepreneurial zeal, practical resources built over years, and a personal philosophy rooted in accessibility. Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma’s transformation from a tempo driver to airline founder represents a new chapter in Indian entrepreneurship — one that could further democratize access to the skies.