Parliament Question: Decreasing competition in aviation sector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2561 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16th March 2026 DECREASING COMPETITION IN AVIATION SECTOR 2561. SHRI PRAKASH CHIK BARAIK Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the total number of airlines operating in country since 2021, year-wise; and (b) the details along with names of airlines that have exited the market or went bankrupt since 2021? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) & (b): The details are at Annexure-I and Annexure-II. ******Annexure-I No. of Scheduled/Scheduled Commuter airlines operating in the country since 2021 (Year Wise) Year No. of Airlines (As on 31st March of each year) 2021 15 2022 14 2023 17 2024 17 2025 12 2026 11 (As on 11.03.2026)Annexure-II Details of Scheduled/Scheduled Commuter Airlines shutdown since 2021 Date AOC valid Name Of of Remarks, if S. No. till/Date of Operator Issu any Closure e Turbo Megha No aircraft left with the Airways Pvt. Ltd. operator as the aircraft 1. 17.05.2017 11.05.2022 (TRU JET) taken back by the lessor. Go Airlines (India) 28.10.2005 02.05.2023 Insolvency under IBC 2016. 2. Pvt. Ltd. Air Asia (India) Merged into Air India Express Ltd. Pvt. Ltd. (Name w.e.f. 3. changed to 01.10.2024 07.05.2014 AIX Connect Pvt. Ltd.) Merged into Air India Ltd. w.e.f. 4. Tata Sia Airlines 12.11.2024 Ltd. (Vistara) 15.12.2014 Aircraft withdrawn by the Big Charter Pvt. lessor, financial issues with 5. 14.12.2020 13.12.2025 Ltd. (Fly Big) operator. *****