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 June. 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.
Several new airlines are set to launch operations this year. Closer to home, PIF-funded Riyadh Air will launch operations later this year.
