Kerala awaits centre's nod for own airline

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday said the state's own airline - Air Kerala - will become a reality as soon as the central government gives its nod for the project.

"I have already written to the union civil aviation minister... Raising money for the project is not a problem as there are many Kerala diaspora members, who are willing to pump in money for our dream project," he said.

"The only thing that stands between implementation of this project is the central government's nod. I am going to meet the civil aviation minister again with this proposal," Chandy informed the state assembly.

He said it was in 2004 when he was the chief minister that a project report was prepared and the report suggested that the Air Kerala project would be feasible.

When legislator Abdurahiman Randathani asked if the government is prepared to partner with any other airline to launch this project, Chandy said the option comes up only if the central government does not relax the rules.