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.

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.
Read news in full 16/07/14 One India

Air Kerala hopes soar with new NDA regime

Kochi: With the new government in place at the Centre and the new Prime Minister Narendra Modi having named Telugu Desam Party’s Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kerala is now looking up for favourable signals from the dispensation for taking off its dream Air Kerala project.
Aviation circles exude confidence in this regard since Modi Government is already known for its pro-growth-oriented outlook and not attaching strings to any sector. At present airline companies registered in India only are discriminated against in the case of flying abroad while foreign airliners without any experience are allowed to fly in and out.
Civil Aviation Minister in the previous dispensation Ajith Singh had spoke about lifting the contentious 5/20 clause that has been working against Indian companies including Air Kerala from operating foreign flights. As per this clause an Indian airline must complete five years in domestic service and should have a fleet of at least 20 planes before it is allowed to fly abroad.