Air Kerala Receives NOC From India's Civil Aviation Ministry: Report

Air Kerala, a low-cost airline, has taken a significant step towards its launch by receiving an initial no-objection certificate from India's Civil Aviation Ministry, Khaleej Times reported on Monday. The airline, registered as Zettfly Aviation, has been granted permission to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years, the report said.

"This is the result of years of our hard work," Afi Ahmed, founder of Air Kerala, was quoted as saying in the report. "My partners and I have been working tirelessly to make this a reality. Several people questioned us and dismissed it, saying it would never become a reality. We still have a long way to go, but the NOC is a big step for us."

Air Kerala aims to connect Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with Tier 1 and metro airports, improving regional connectivity and accessibility for travelers, the report said. "Our initial operations will focus on regional connectivity," Ayub Kallada, another founder of Air Kerala told Khaleej Times, adding, "We plan to connect Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with Tier 1 and metro airports. This will help improve accessibility and convenience for travellers across these regions."

The airline plans to start operations with three ATR 72-600 aircraft and expand its fleet to 20 aircraft before exploring international routes, the report said. "Once we expand our fleet to 20 aircraft, we will start exploring international routes to expand our reach and service offerings," Ahmed was quoted as saying.

Headquartered in Kochi, Air Kerala is expected to promote tourism and trade in Kerala and create at least 350 jobs in the city, Khaleej Times said. "Once international operations start, we will ensure affordable travel for all expats," the report added, quoting Ahmed. "Dubai will be one of our first international flights."