ALBAWABA - In a move that could bring more affordable travel options for Indian expatriates, a new low-cost airline called Air Kerala has secured its initial regulatory approval.
The airline, backed by two Dubai-based businessmen, has received the no-objection certificate (NOC) from India's civil aviation ministry.
Air Kerala, registered under the name Zettfly Aviation, plans to be the first regional airline serving the southern Indian state of Kerala. The project is the brainchild of UAE entrepreneurs Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, who have been working for years to make it a reality.
Air Kerala Airlines. (Facebook)
With the NOC in hand, Air Kerala must now focus on acquiring aircraft and obtaining its Air Operator's Certificate before launching flights. The airline intends to initially connect smaller cities within Kerala to major airports, before expanding to international routes, including Dubai as one of its first overseas destinations.
The initial investment for the project is estimated at around 110 million dirhams. Air Kerala aims to promote tourism and trade in Kerala, while also providing cost-effective travel options for the state's large expatriate population.
