Two Kerala-based airlines, Air Kerala and Al Hind, by 2025: Key dates, routes and fleets

Air Kerala and Al Hind Air, both touted as Kerala’s own airline companies, will begin operations by the first half of 2025 if all goes well. Al Hind Air, owned by the Kozhikode-based Al Hind group, and Air Kerala, led by a group of expatriate businessmen, will give wings to the dreams of millions of Malayali expatriates living in the Gulf region. Afi Ahamad and Ayoob Kallada, both Dubai-based entrepreneurs, are the chairman and vice chairman of Air Kerala. Meanwhile, Harish Moideenkutty, who had previously worked at Spice Jet, is the CEO. Air Kerala received an operational permit from the Ministry of Civil Aviation last July. The airline can officially begin flying after receiving the Air Operator Certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The key dates
Harish Kutty recently revealed to the national media that Air Kerala would get its first aircraft in April, while the second one is likely to be delivered by June. He also expressed hope that the airline could begin services by June 2025. The company will add one aircraft every quarter and aims to have a fleet of six aircraft by the first half of 2026. Initially, Air Kerala would operate services connecting cities like Kochi, Hyderabad, Kozhikode and Kannur. ATR aircraft with less than 100 seater segments will be used for these services. The airline hopes to start international services, especially in the Gulf sector, by 2026. The company wants to increase the number of aircraft in its fleet to up to 20.

Al Hind will be using two ATR aircraft in the initial phase. The first aircraft of Al-Hind Air, too, might take off by June 2025. Besides, the company aims to increase the number of aircraft to seven within a year. Al Hind Air will operate services in the Kochi, Madurai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur sectors before extending the services to 40 Indian cities in multiple phases. International services would follow it in the Gulf sector. Currently, Al Hind group is pioneers in offering hotel bookings, tour operating, arranging chartered flights and visa services. The company boasts of extensive network and years of experience in flight ticket booking and organising hajj pilgrimages.

Malayali expatriates staying in various Gulf countries are likely to benefit when Air Kerala and Al Hind Air take wings. The expatriates have been constantly demanding for airline services that offer tickets on affordable price. Meanwhile, Al Hind Air might extend their services to countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Who leads the airlines
Keerthi Rao, former executive director (finance) of Air India has been appointed as Air Kerala’s chief financial officer (CFO). Shamon Pattuvathukkal Sayyed Muhammad, who has previously associated with Spice Jet and Air India, is the ground operations head while former DGCA officer James George is the quality manager. Pararthaparambil Rangaraja Malya Kamalesh has been appointed as the head of the maintenance department. The company has been actively recruiting to all the departments ahead of launching the operations.

Al Hind Air too has been filling key posts ahead of beginning the operations. Renowned airline expert Alexander Envooba has been appointed as the chief financial officer of Al Hind Air which is awaiting Air Operator Certificate from the DGCA.