Bullish shareholders behind Air Kerala (Kochi International) say the start-up should be operating revenue flights by the end of the first quarter of next year. The announcement follows meetings in Delhi over the past week between the investors and officials from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Civil Aviation.
As previously reported in ch-aviation, Air Kerala plans to operate as a low-cost carrier, initially focusing on domestic sectors to smaller Indian cities before expanding into regional markets. In July, having secured a no-objection certificate from the DGCA, Dubai-based Afi Ahmed, chairman Zett Fly Aviation Private Limited, trading as Air Kerala, said he intended to commence flights with three ATR72-600s.
Air Kerala's promotors include both Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada. Ahmed is also the chairman of travel company Smart Travels and paid USD272,250 to buy the AirKerala domain name last year. Dubai-based Kallada is chairman and managing director of Kallada Food Industries. This week, the DGCA and ministry officials "expressed confidence" in Air Kerala's ability to meet the regulatory requirements to secure an air operator's certificate ahead of the March 2025 target date.
Separately, Ahmed has confirmed the appointment of Harish Kuti as Air Kerala's CEO. He reportedly has over 35 years of experience in the aviation sector including stints in leadership roles at British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) and Air Arabia (G9, Sharjah).
