Kochi: Kerala is going to become the first state to operate its own airliner, Air Kerala which is likely to start commercial services from Kannur and Mysuru airports this year, media reports said.
The budget friendly service is likely to begin operations by the middle of this year. The services are envisaged to provide impetus to the tourism sector of Malabar and aid the development of the Kannur International Airport, the reports said.
Air Kerala, which is also exploring the possibility of opening an aviation academy, is planning to begin International services by 2026 after increasing its fleet with Kochi as its base.
The international services are likely to focus mainly on the Gulf sector. Dubai-based Malayali businessman Afi Ahamed, who owns the domain name, is the chairman.
Hareesh Kutty, who was associated with Spice Jet, is its CEO. With an initial fleet of three ATR aircraft, Air Kerala will begin domestic services from four airports in Kerala.
Registered as a subsidiary of the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL),
Air Kerala will have the state government as one of the primary stakeholders. The State government, CIAL and other public sector companies together hold 26% of the shares of the company, while the remaining 74% were to be issued to individuals and private groups.
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