Low-cost airline Air Kerala secures NOC from civil aviation ministry, plans regional launch in 2025
New Delhi: Air Kerala, a new airline planned by a UAE-based company, is set to launch in early 2025. Based in Kochi, Kerala, the airline aims to connect routes within the state and other tier II and III cities in India using ATR-72 turboprop aircraft.
Air Kerala revives a two-decade-old ambition of Kerala having its own airline. The airline, promoted by UAE-based businessmen Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, has received initial no-objection clearance from the civil aviation ministry. The airline hopes to start operations in the first quarter of 2025 with three ATR-72 aircraft and an initial investment of ₹60-100 crore. Key post holders have been identified, and the airline will soon apply for an air operator permit.
The airline has drafted a connectivity blueprint for 53 airports and plans to hire 350 personnel during its inaugural year of operations. It will target routes within Kerala and cities such as Salem, Madurai, Hubli, and Pune based on traffic demand. Kerala, currently home to four airports (Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram), sees more international traffic than domestic. However, domestic traffic is also growing, with Thiruvananthapuram witnessing a 40% rise in domestic passengers over the past year, the highest among the four airports.
Managing operating costs and competing with established airlines flying larger capacity planes are significant challenges for Air Kerala. A former CEO of a budget airline noted that state support in terms of cost concessions and revenue guarantees could aid the fledgling business. Limited intra-state air traffic exists, with IndiGo operating a single daily flight on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi-Kannur route and Air India Express flying twice weekly between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. Marketing tie-ups with tourist attractions and wellness centers in Kerala could benefit the airline.
Operating with ATR-72 aircraft could be challenging due to the limitation of capacity and competitive fares. Achieving yields for viable and sustainable operations amidst entrenched competition from airlines operating with A320/B737 aircraft is crucial. Additionally, the availability of trains connecting major cities in Kerala poses another challenge. Industry experts believe that government support through cost concessions and guaranteed revenue could help Air Kerala establish itself in the market.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
