The CEO of Air Kerala (Kochi International) has told CNBC TV18 that the start-up is finalising requirements for its air operator's certificate (AOC), expects its first aircraft in April 2025, the second in June, and hopes to start revenue services by mid-year. Harish Kutty said he aims to have six aircraft by the first quarter of 2026.

As reported in ch-aviation earlier this year, Air Kerala plans to operate as a low-cost carrier, initially focusing on domestic sectors to smaller Indian cities using ATR72-600s before expanding into regional markets. The start-up has received an initial no-objection certificate (NOC) from India's Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The company's backers are Afi Ahmed, who chairs Sharjah-based travel management firm Smart Travel Group, and Dubai-based Ayub Kallada, chairman and managing director of Kallada Food Industries.

Kutty said that Air Kerala had filled all key positions, although some individuals tapped for certain roles, such as chief pilot and heads of inflight service, safety, training, IT, and HR, are currently serving their notice periods at other operators. The business will hire flight crews, ground crews, and other back office staff closer to the launch date. Flying three ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops will require the start-up to employ around 300 people, he added.