With the NOC in hand and a clear roadmap ahead, Air Kerala is well on its way to transforming travel for Indian expatriates, offering them economical and convenient options to return home
In a significant development for Indian expatriates seeking affordable travel options, Air Kerala, a new low-cost airline, has secured its initial regulatory approval. This milestone, marked by the receipt of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from India’s civil aviation ministry, brings the project closer to reality.
Air Kerala, operating under the name Zettfly Aviation, is the brainchild of Dubai-based businessmen Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada. Their vision is to create the first regional airline serving the southern Indian state of Kerala. With years of dedicated effort, the duo is now one step closer to achieving this goal.
The next phase for Air Kerala involves acquiring aircraft and obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) before commencing operations. The airline plans to begin by connecting smaller cities within Kerala to major airports, eventually expanding to international destinations, with Dubai being one of the first.
The project, with an estimated initial investment of around 110 million dirhams, aims to enhance tourism and trade in Kerala while offering cost-effective travel solutions for the state’s substantial expatriate population.
The journey to this point has not been easy. The idea of Air Kerala dates back to 2005, first proposed by the Kerala government. However, it was only last year that Ahmed, the founder of Smart Travels, reignited the project by acquiring the domain name airkerala.com for Dh1 million. The NOC allows Air Kerala to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years, a significant milestone that underscores the perseverance and dedication of its founders.
Air Kerala plans to launch operations with three ATR 72-600 aircraft, focusing initially on regional connectivity. The airline aims to link Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with major metro airports, thereby improving accessibility and convenience for travelers. In the long run, Air Kerala envisions expanding its fleet to 20 aircraft and launching international routes, requiring a total investment of approximately Dh1.1 billion.
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