Air Arabia to operate low cost flights to Kerala
By James Paul | 30 Apr 2004
Kochi: Air Arabia, the airline service owned by the Sharjah government has agreed to operate flight services to different destinations of Kerala for Rs 10,000 which includes a return ticket. In a letter to chief minister AK Antony, Air Arabia demanded that a clearance should be obtained from the union government for their operations.
The chief minister had forwarded the letter to the union government, asking that the request of the Air Arabia should be considered. The CM also pointed out that the service would be helpful for lakhs of Malayalees in the Gulf countries.
Air Arabia has agreed to operate from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. There will be no free food service inside the air craft. Passenger have to pay five to ten dirhams for food.
At present Air India is charging Rs 16,500 for the to and fro travel from Gulf sector to different destinations here. Other companies are charging Rs 15,000.
The Minister for non-Keralite affairs, MM Hassan held discussions with Air Arabia executives and after conducting a study of this route, the airlines company decided to operate to and fro flights for a cost of Rs 10,000.