Latest news with #AirKerala
Skift
07-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
What India's Newest Regional Airline Says About Aviation
Air Kerala is set to join a wave of airlines coming up in India. The carrier's niche positioning: Offering low-cost direct connectivity to Kerala expats based in the Middle East. Upstart regional airline Air Kerala is India's latest ultra-low-cost carrier and hopes to begin flying by the end of June after receiving its IATA flight code, "KD." While it will initially operate domestically, the plan is to expand internationally, especially to the Middle East to serve the UAE and Gulf-based non-resident Keralites, a significant target audience for Air Kerala. While major airlines like Air India and IndiGo are expanding their fleet for international expansion, smaller Indian airlines are also adding more planes to respond to the growing demand from regional markets. Akasa Air, which commenced operations less than three years ago, this week announced the arrival of its 28th aircraft. Last month, regional airline Star Air's fleet expanded to 10 aircraft. The airline also has plans to undertake rapid expansion by adding 15 new sectors to its schedule. Goa-based regional airline Fly91 is also expanding its fleet and last month, purchased two ATR 72-600 aircraft shortly after completing a year of operations. It is soon expecting another plane to join the fleet, taking it to four jets. Fly91 plans to induct 30 aircraft manufactured by European manufacturer ATR over the next five years. Last year, another Kerala-based airline Alhind Air received the initial approval of Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). While it was planning to commence service by the end of 2024, it has not yet taken off. Afi Ahmed, Air Kerala's Dubai-based founder and chairman, said that it is looking to have 1,000 employees by the end of this year. In March 2025 alone, India's domestic air traffic stood at 14.5 million passengers, a nearly 9% year-on-year increase, according to data from DGCA. Biggest Takeaways from Indian Hotels Company Earnings Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) reported its highest-ever full-year performance in fiscal 2025, driven by solid domestic travel demand and limited additions to hotel supply. 'Strong domestic business travel demand, coupled with mega wins like the Kumbh Mela, international music concerts like Coldplay and a strong wedding season, were the key demand drivers this year,' IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal said at an earnings call on Monday. Chhatwal said the company plans to invest over INR 12 billion (approximately $142 million) in fiscal 2026. This includes asset upgrades, new projects, and investments focused on the Taj brand and digital infrastructure. IHCL is placing more emphasis on attracting international travelers. Referencing projections of 28 million foreign arrivals by 2030 — a nearly 40% increase over pre-pandemic levels—Chhatwal noted the potential for growth in inbound tourism. The company has allocated INR 250 million ($3 million) over three years to promote India abroad. An insight that has resonated over the last 10 quarters is the shrinking of booking windows. Outside peak seasons, like school holidays, summer breaks and Christmas holidays, Indian travelers are planning getaways as little as 12–24 hours in advance, Chhatwal said. Beyond its core hotels, IHCL's 'new and reimagined' ventures are scaling fast. Qmin, the company's grab-and-go food concept spun off from Ginger, has expanded to 72 outlets. IHCL's loyalty program Tata Neu surpassed 10 million members in fiscal 2025. Also, bookings made via direct channels jumped 43% to over INR 22 billion ($261 million). Sikkim Could Get a New Airport for Tourism Boost The Northeast Indian state of Sikkim is likely to get a new airport to boost tourism, Indian minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale said. This was in response to increasing demand for an all-weather international airport in Sikkim. The existing Pakyong airport often faces visibility challenges that lead to service interruptions for months. Between January and March this year, over 450,000 domestic tourists visited Sikkim, according to data by the tourism and civil aviation department. In the first two months of the year, over 17,000 international tourists also visited the state. Based on these numbers, tourism authorities are expecting 1.6 million domestic visitors and 100,000 global tourists to visit Sikkim by the end of the year. Andhra Pradesh to Upgrade 500 Homestays The Andhra Pradesh government has identified more than 500 homestays across the state to be upgraded by August this year. These properties include homes in tribal regions, heritage homes, and urban properties. At present, nearly 600 existing homestays in the religious hub of Tirupati are being sensitized and enhanced with the support of platforms like AirBnB, Oyo Homes, Homestays of India, and MakeMyTrip. The state's chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked the tourism department to ensure that the homestays maintain high standards. Andhra Pradesh is also looking to develop work from home options around all major tourist destinations. Radisson Expands Portfolio in Siliguri Radisson Hotel Group has signed Radisson Blu-branded property in West Bengal's Siliguri. The 105-key hotel marks the company's first Radisson Blu hotel and overall second property in the city. The group is aiming to cater to leisure, business, MICE, and wedding travelers through this property. As the city serves as a key gateway to Northeast India, this is a part of Radisson's strategy to solidify its presence in key emerging markets, according to Nikhil Sharma, COO for South Asia. Last month, the hospitality chain's portfolio in India crossed 200 properties, including operational and developing hotels. 'India is one of our key markets in Asia where we will further amplify our growth and create more possibilities and opportunities to our guests, owners, and positively impact the local communities,' Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer at Radisson said. Tourism in Dharamshala Dips Despite Cricket Matches Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is hosting three matches of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament. However, despite the matches, the city has not been witnessing a rise in tourism, even as the tournament is leading to a tourism and economic boom across different venues in India. While hotels in lower Dharamshala have an occupancy rate of 70%, those in lower Dharamshala areas have only about 35-40% occupancy, according to media reports. Hoteliers said that the muted tourist influx is due to the tensions with Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Kashmir last month.
Gulf News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
UAE- India travel: Ultra-low-cost airline startup Air Kerala assigned IATA code
Dubai: Indian airline startup Air Kerala has taken another step to become a reality for its UAE-based investors. The carrier announced Friday it has received its International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline code. 'The code we've been allocated is KD,' said Harish Kutty, CEO of the ultra-low-cost carrier. 'The code 'KD' will be firmed up once we secure the air operator certificate (AOC),' Kutty added. IATA airline designators, sometimes called IATA reservation codes, are two-character codes assigned by IATA to the world's airlines. For example, Air India's IATA code is AI and IndiGo's is 6E. Airlines are usually allotted either two letters or a letter and a numerical code. 'Getting a two-alphabet code is a privilege. We are very honoured with the allocation,' said Kutty. For Dubai-based Air Kerala founder and Chairman Afi Ahmed, the 'KD' stands for 'Kerala Dream'. 'For non-Keralites, the KD has a multitude of meanings. It could stand for 'Kerala to Dubai' or 'Kerala to Doha'. For us, this is another step towards making the Air Kerala dream come true,' said Ahmed. Air Kerala expects to receive its AOC by the end of this month. According to Ahmed, the airline has been receiving great interest and enquiries from prospective UAE and GCC non-resident Keralites (NRKs). Headquarters, new aircraft The airline opened its headquarters in Kochi, Kerala, on April 15. The spacious office complex, spread across three floors and equipped with modern training facilities, is located near Aluva Metro station in Ernakulam. The office was inaugurated by Kerala Minister of Industries P. Rajeev. Members of Parliament (MPs) Hibi Eden, Benny Behanan, and Haris Beeran, and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Anwar Sadath and Roji M. John were also present. According to its owners, the airline is designed to accommodate over 200 aviation professionals working simultaneously. The airline has completed the recruitment of 69 employees. 'By closer to launch, we will have 200 employees. We are targeting 1,000 employees by the end of the year, and we hope to have seven aircraft by then as well,' said Ahmed. 'For now, essential staff, including pilots and cabin crew, have been recruited. They are undergoing training at the moment in India,' said Kutty. The airline's first flight will take off from Kochi International Airport, said Kutty. Airline owners are yet to confirm launch destinations.
Khaleej Times
23-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Over 100 residents cancel travel plans to Kashmir after terror attack kills 26
For the last two months, Asha Abdulkader and her family of 15 have been looking forward to a relaxing trip to Kashmir, intending to visit several cities including Pahalgam. However, they were forced to cancel their trip after a deadly terror attack killed 26 people on Tuesday. 'Our group including my siblings and cousins was supposed to leave on April 28 for seven days,' Asha told Khaleej Times on Wednesday. 'Now we were left with no choice except to cancel the tour plan and face the loss incurred due to the cancellation of the flight and tour package policies.' The family are among the hundreds of people who have canceled their trips to the country after an attack targeted tourists. Asha said she was dealing with heartbreak, disbelief and shock in the aftermath of the tragedy. 'I'm deeply disappointed and saddened,' she said. 'Kashmir is such a beautiful place that is on the wish list of almost every Indian. I am also shocked about how if this attack had happened next week at the time, my family could have been there. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.' She added that she understood that safety was paramount, and the necessity of this decision. At least 26 people died and 17 others were injured when terrorists opened fire in three locations at a popular tourist spot in the Pahalgam region of India's Jammu and Kashmir. Among the dead — all men — are 25 Indians and one Nepalese national. One Indian national was a Dubai resident. Over 80 cancellations Local travel agency Smart Travels has had to cancel the flights of more than 80 people in the last two days. 'We had begun a campaign for summer which gave UAE residents the chance to enjoy a staycation in different parts of India before proceeding to their hometown,' said Safeer Mohammed from the agency. 'One of the locations on our list was Kashmir and we had over 80 bookings. For the last two days, we have been on calls with various stakeholders canceling and rescheduling the huge block of tickets we had booked.' Safeer added that the terror attack was shocking and had a huge impact on the tourism industry as a whole. 'The militants targeted tourists at a time when the industry was booming in Kashmir,' he said. 'Safety had improved and people were really beginning to explore the region. It is absolutely disheartening what has happened.' Smart Travels, the driving force behind the upcoming Indian domestic airline Air Kerala, has been promoting pan India travel. Recently, Air Kerala opened its corporate office in Kochi, with plans to begin flight operations later this year. Not willing to risk it Fouzia Sameer and her family of 10 people had planned a trip to Kashmir in July. She is one of those who have canceled her trip. 'Our trip is three months from now and conditions might have settled by then but I am not willing to take the risk,' she said. 'This particular attack specifically targeted tourists and I think it will be a long time before any holiday makers have the guts to go back there. I feel so sorry for the families who lost their loved ones but also to the Kashmiris who depended on tourism for their livelihood. It is such a senseless tragedy.'
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
India's newest airline, Air Kerala, to get a corporate office
Muscat: The corporate office of Indian's newest airline, Air Kerala, will be inaugurated on April 15 in the South Indian city of Kochi. The corporate office, located near the Aluva Metro Station, will take place at 5:30 pm, will be spread across three floors, and is designed to accommodate over 200 aviation experts at a time. Air Kerala aims to create over 750 job opportunities this year and initially will operate domestic services, followed by international services. The airline's first aircraft is expected to take off from Kochi in June. Air Kerala will operate ultra-low-cost flight services, according to Chairman Afi Ahmed. The airline has signed an agreement with an Irish company to lease five aircraft initially and plans to purchase its own aircraft in the future. Air Kerala's services will connect small towns and cities of South and Central with its economy class 76-seater ATR aircraft. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
