Dubai – Powered by two Dubai-based businessmen, Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, the dream of low-cost airlines for Indian expats from Dubai is all set to be a reality with ‘Air-Kerala taking shape after 19 years of its inception. Thanks to the efforts of the duo – Air Kerala received the initial no-objection certificate (NOC) from India’s civil aviation ministry over the weekend. This was announced at the press conference held in Dubai.
The airline, which is registered under the name Zettfly Aviation, has the permission to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years as per the NOC norms issued by the civil aviation ministry.
The brainchild of UAE entrepreneurs Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, Air Kerala will be the first regional airline of India’s southernmost state of Kerala.
“We are happy that we received the NOC which is just the first step. There are three more important steps to be completed and we are working on it on a needy basis. Headquartered in Cochin, the company will operate domestic flights from Kerala. We will be using ATR 72-600 aircraft once we obtain an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from MoCA. It will take another eight to nine months”, said Afi Ahmed to News9 over phone.
“Initially our plan is to ensure that the tier-2 and tier-3 cities in south India will be connected to the tier-1 cities. After that we are planning to go for the international routes. We are planning to start operations with three ATR 72-600 aircraft,” he said.
“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.”
Headquartered in the cosmopolitan city of Cochin, the airline is expected to promote tourism and trade in Kerala and bring in at least 350 jobs to the city. “Once we start our international flights, we will bring job opportunities to the UAE,” said Afi. “Once international operation starts we will ensure affordable travel for all expats. Dubai will be one of our first international flights.”
The airline, which is registered under the name Zettfly Aviation, has the permission to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years as per the NOC norms issued by the civil aviation ministry.
The brainchild of UAE entrepreneurs Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, Air Kerala will be the first regional airline of India’s southernmost state of Kerala. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
