Kerala to revive "Air Kerala" project

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has taken up with the Centre for securing sanction to its dream project "Air Kerala", under which it planned to operate low cost carrier services from the state to Gulf region, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.

'Government had already written a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister in this regard and I will take up the matter personally during the meeting with the minister' Chandy informed the assembly while replying to a calling attention notice given by Abdurahiman Randhathani (IUML).

Randhathani wanted the government to take necessary steps to materialise the Air Kerala project to prevent exploitation of Non-Resident Keralites (NRK's) especially working in Gulf countries by airline companies through frequent hike in fares.

Air Kerala, a company registered as a subsidiary of Cochin International Airport Ltd in 2005 could not commence operations mainly due to two conditions of the Centre for starting international services by any airline, Chandy said.

The state had approached the previous UPA government with a request seeking exemption from such conditions that the company should have a fleet of 20 aircraft and a five year experience in carrying out domestic services, but the Centre refused approval.
16/07/14 PTI/Business Standard

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Kerala awaits centre's nod for own airline

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday said the state's own airline - Air Kerala - will become a reality as soon as the central government gives its nod for the project. "I have already written to the union civil aviation minister... Raising money for the project is not a problem as there are many Kerala diaspora members, who are willing to pump in money for our dream project," he said. "The only thing that stands between implementation of this project is the central government's nod. I am going to meet the civil aviation minister again with this proposal," Chandy informed the state assembly. He said it was in 2004 when he was the chief minister that a project report was prepared and the report suggested that the Air Kerala project would be feasible.
16/07/14 One India

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