Indian expats can fly on low-cost airline Air Kerala
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Indian expatriates may soon enjoy economical flights back home as Air Kerala, a low-cost airline, moves closer to becoming a reality. The venture, spearheaded by Dubai-based businessmen Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, recently received the initial no-objection certificate (NOC) from India’s civil aviation ministry. The announcement was made during a press conference in Dubai.
The NOC allows the airline, registered under the name Zettfly Aviation, to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years. Air Kerala aims to be the first regional airline of Kerala, India’s southernmost state.
“This is the result of years of our hard work,” said Afi Ahmed. “Many doubted us, but this NOC is a significant milestone. We still have a long journey ahead.”
The idea of Air Kerala dates back to 2005 when it was first proposed by the Kerala government. Last year, Ahmed, the founder of Smart Travels, reignited the project by purchasing the domain name airkerala.com for Dh1 million.
With the NOC secured, the next steps involve acquiring aircraft and meeting regulatory requirements to obtain an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).
The airline plans to start with three ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Air Kerala will initially focus on regional connectivity, linking Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with major metro airports. This will enhance accessibility and convenience for travellers. The airline's long-term plans include expanding its fleet to 20 aircraft and launching international routes, requiring an initial investment of approximately Dh1.1 billion.