Dubai-based businessmen unveil Air Kerala, a low-cost airline expected to take off in 2025
Air Kerala also plans to expand its operations to Dubai once it gets a green light for overseas operations
Passengers in a flight | Clouds captured from inside a flight
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Kerala, India's southernmost state, is set to take flight with the launch of Air Kerala, a new regional airline backed by Dubai-based entrepreneurs Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada.
The airline received its initial approval (NOC) from India's civil aviation ministry over the weekend, paving the way for operations expected to begin in 2025.
Air Kerala aims to bridge the gap between smaller cities (Tier 2 and 3) and major airports (Tier 1 and metros). This improved regional connectivity is expected to boost tourism and trade in the state.
The airline will initially utilize three ATR 72-600 aircraft, focusing on domestic routes before expanding internationally.
The reason why Air Kerala can’t operate internationally is because of the 5/20 rule, set up by the Civil Aviation Ministry. This norm requires all national carriers to operate for 5 years with a minimum fleet of 20 aircraft to fly overseas.
The new airline is projected to create over 350 jobs and offer budget-friendly travel options, making Kerala more accessible to domestic and international travelers. This aligns with the initial vision proposed by the Kerala government in 2005, which envisioned Air Kerala as a subsidiary of the Cochin International Airport.
With a projected initial investment of Dh110 million and ambitions to grow its fleet to 20 aircraft, Air Kerala promises to be a significant player in Kerala's aviation landscape. Reportedly, last year, Ahmed also invested Dh1 million in the domain name airkerala.com.
The airline's focus on regional connectivity and affordable travel holds the potential to unlock new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the southern Indian state.
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