Kerala Govt to launch its own airline

Saturday, Aug 11, 2012: Kerala is to launch its own airline ‘Air Kerala’ to cater to passengers travelling between the state and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Indian Parliamentarian, ET Mohammed Bashir, told Times of Oman in Muscat that this is likely to ease problems of NRIs travelling between Kerala and the GCC nations.

‘During peak seasons, they have shell out huge amounts to purchase air tickets. So, the government of Kerala is moving ahead to start its own airline, Bashir told the newspaper.

The company, named Air Kerala, was registered in India around four years ago. He said the new airline will follow the public-private partnership model, as was adopted in building the Cochin International Airport.

‘The airline project is ready and is awaiting approval of the central government’, he said adding the state Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has held talks in this regard.