Kerala moves ahead with plans to launch international state airline in April

Air Kerala, the state government’s airline, would be launched April 14, 2013.

The chief minister explained that under the rules, an airline can only fly international routes after completing five years of domestic service; there is also a stipulation about the number of aircraft that an airline operating internationally should have.

“But Air India Express was given a relaxation in rules when it started international operations.  So, when the state government put up the application, we also sought similar exemption.”