Air Kerala is Hiring Pilots, Ready for Launch in 2025

COCHIN- The emerging regional airline, Air Kerala, is currently seeking pilots, including both Captains and First Officers, for their ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Based in Cochin, the airline received its No-objection Certificate (NOC) in July 2024 from the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India (MoCA).

With a focus on building a robust team, Air Kerala is prioritizing the recruitment of essential personnel, beginning with pilots.

In a recent post on LinkedIn, Air Kerala announced, “Air Kerala is Ready for Takeoff!” inviting ATR 72-600 Pilots to join their journey into aviation history!

Details regarding the specific requirements have not been extensively shared. However, followers of Afi Ahmed UPC, the Chairman and founder of Air Kerala, are encouraged to stay tuned for updates. To apply, qualified candidates should submit their CV to [email protected].

To maintain operational safety and meet industry standards, Air Kerala is implementing strict eligibility criteria for Captains and First Officers for ATR-72-600 operations.

Pilot Eligibility Requirements

Captain Requirements:

• Experience: Minimum of 3,000 hours total flight time, including substantial experience with turboprop aircraft. A minimum of 500 hours must be logged as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on the ATR-72-600.
• Currency: Candidates must possess a valid Instrument Rating and Proficiency Check (IR-PPC) with recent flight experience on the ATR-72-600.
• Licenses and Ratings: A valid Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s License (FRTO), alongside a valid Class 1 Medical Assessment.
• Type Rating: Mandatory ATR-72-600 type rating.
• Language Proficiency: English fluency with a minimum ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Level 4.
• Record: No accidents, incidents, or Breath Analyzer (BA) violations within the past three years.

First Officer Requirements:

• Experience: At least 600 hours total flight time, with considerable experience on turboprop aircraft, including at least 100 hours as First Officer on the ATR-72-600.
• Currency: Current IR-PPC with recent flight experience on the ATR-72-600.
• Licenses and Ratings: A valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and FRTO, along with a valid Class 1 Medical Assessment.
• Type Rating: ATR-72-600 type rating is required.
• Language Proficiency: English fluency with a minimum ICAO ELP Level 4.
• Record: No accidents, incidents, or BA violations within the past three years.

Projected Launch in Q2 2025

Zetfly Aviation, the parent company of Air Kerala, obtained an NOC from India’s civil aviation ministry in July 2024 and aims to achieve an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) by mid-2025.

The airline plans to initiate domestic routes from Kochi to Tier II and Tier III cities in the second quarter of 2025, followed by international services to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

CEO Harish Kutty emphasized the airline’s importance to the global Malayalee community, referring to it as the realization of a long-cherished dream. He confirmed that Air Kerala is in the pre-application phase for its AOC and aims to finalize the process by April 2025, acknowledging the challenges involved.

To facilitate its launch, Air Kerala is in talks for a dry lease of three 78-seater ATR 72-600 aircraft, expected to be delivered in mid-2025. The airline is committed to providing affordable travel options for expatriate Malayalees, focusing on accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

International operations are planned for 2028, adhering to MoCA regulations, which mandate a fleet of at least 20 aircraft for overseas flights. Afi Ahmed, founder of Smart Travels, highlighted the airline’s long-term strategy to expand its international routes as soon as fleet requirements are met, with an initial investment of about Dh1.1 billion.

Air Kerala’s expansion strategy includes acquiring narrowbody aircraft, such as Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s, to achieve the 20-aircraft target by 2028, ensuring preparations for international services while advancing domestic operations.

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