Kerala - Thrissur   

Project report on State airlines next week: Kurien

Staff Reporter

`We can go full swing within six months of getting Central nod'

THRISSUR: Managing Director of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) V.J. Kurien has said that the project report on the airlines proposed to be started by the Kerala Government will be submitted to the State Government by next week.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Kurien said the consultants Ernest &Young had promised to give the project report, which would also include the feasibility aspects, before October 31.

The Government would submit it to the Centre for necessary clearance. "We should be able to go full swing within six months after getting the clearance,'' he said.

In the proposed airlines, the State Government and CIAL would hold 26 per cent of the shares. Initially the company was proposed to mobilise a capital of Rs.200 crores.

The plan was to take five aircraft on lease in the early phase and acquire own aircraft after mobilising enough funds and having sufficient experience, Mr. Kurien said.

He said the airlines would have a very wide shareholder base, and all of them would be given a discount on travel.

"This will ensure a captive passenger base also for the airline. We want to have a shareholder base of one crore for the airline. All of them will then prefer to travel on that airline.''

He, however, said the airline would be successful only if the Centre relaxed the condition that the airlines with five years of flying experience alone would be allowed to operate international services.

Similarly, it must also waive the condition that only Air-India and Indian Airlines would be allowed to operate flights to the Gulf.

Mr. Kurien said the main objective of the airline was to provide quality service to the Non-Resident Keralites, particularly to those working in the Gulf, at a reasonable rate. Launch of airline by the Government would also tremendously boost the tourism potential of the State.

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