To commence operations, Air Kerala must now procure aircraft and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements to obtain the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
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Air Kerala, a low-cost airline founded by Dubai-based entrepreneurs Afi Ahmed and Ayub Kallada, has received the initial No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The airline, registered as Zettfly Aviation, has been approved to “operate scheduled commuter flights for three years,” Khaleej Times reported. Once the airline becomes operational, it will be Kerala’s first regional airline.
To commence operations, Air Kerala must now procure aircraft and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements to obtain the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). Ayub Kallada said: “This is a critical phase that ensures that we comply with all safety and operational standards set by the aviation authorities.”
Afi Ahmed expressed his satisfaction with the progress made and acknowledged the challenges encountered along the way. “This is the culmination of years of hard work. My partners and I have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Several people have 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,” he said. The airline’s immediate plans include starting operations with three ATR 72-600 aircraft, exploring both leasing and direct purchasing options to build an optimal fleet. Air Kerala will initially focus on connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with Tier 1 and metro airports. Once the fleet is expanded to 20 aircraft, they will “explore international routes to expand our reach and service offerings.” to expand,” said Ahmed.
