Kerala plans to revive airline project
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The state of Kerala is planning to revisit plans to launch its own airline.
Air Kerala was initially intended to launch in 2005, but failed to get off the ground due to India’s previously restrictive regulations.
But the Economic Times reported Kerala’s Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, as revealing this week that he is planning to revive the project under the low-cost carrier model.
“[The Kerala] government had already written a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister in this regard and I will take up the matter personally,” Chandy was quoted saying.
Air Kerala was intended to take advantage of the state’s geographical location to offer services to Gulf destinations, mainly serving overseas Indian workers.
But previous aviation rules stated that airlines needed a fleet of 20 aircraft plus five years of domestic operations under their belt before launching international routes. These regulations have since been eased however, potentially allowing Air Kerala to continue with its long-awaited launch plans.
Chandy added that the state could also work with another airline, if the plans encounter further problems.
“If permission was denied again, government would look for another option of making the company as a subsidiary of any already operating airliner,” Chandy added.
Another new low-cost carrier, AirAsia India, launched earlier this month and will commence operations to Kochi, Kerala’s state capital, on 20 July. Other Indian and Gulf-based LCCs operating to the city include IndiGo, SpiceJet, flydubai and Air Arabia.
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