India’s aviation sector is preparing to welcome a new player, and behind it is a name well known in the travel and pilgrimage services space. AlHind Air, India’s upcoming airline, is promoted by T. Mohammed Haris, a Kerala-based entrepreneur with decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry.
AlHind Air recently received its No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, clearing the first major regulatory hurdle to begin operations. The approval places AlHind Air alongside FlyExpress as the newest entrants into India’s domestic aviation market, which is currently dominated by a small number of carriers.
Mohammed Haris is the founder, chairman, and promoter of the Al Hind Group of Companies, a Calicut-based travel conglomerate established over three decades ago. The group started in the early 1990s as a modest travel office and has grown into one of the largest names in India’s travel and tour management industry. Today, Al Hind operates in more than 130 locations in India and abroad, with a strong presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bangladesh.
Born in Calicut, Kerala, Haris comes from a humble background. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Economics and also studied Pharmacology. Over the years, he has earned recognition for his deep involvement in the travel ecosystem, particularly in religious tourism. He currently serves as the founder and general secretary of the Indian Haj Umrah Association, representing the interests of Haj and Umrah operators across the country. In 2021, he was also nominated by the Airports Authority of India to the Calicut Airport Advisory Committee as a representative of the travel and tourism community.
AlHind Air is positioned as a regional commuter airline. The company plans to start operations with a fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, focusing first on domestic routes. Kochi is expected to be the primary hub, with connections to cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and other airports in Kerala and southern India. The fleet is expected to grow gradually as operations stabilise.
Looking ahead, AlHind Air also has international ambitions. The airline is expected to explore routes to Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, leveraging the Al Hind Group’s long-standing relationships in these regions and catering to the large Indian diaspora living there.
The entry of AlHind Air comes at a time when India’s aviation market is seeking greater competition and resilience. With its strong industry background and regional focus, Mohammed Haris’s venture is being closely watched as it prepares to take flight and add a new option for Indian air travellers.
