John Ellis, marketing director, Fujairah International Airport said that, the proposed airline project of the Kerala Government, Air Kerala, will not be viable unless it starts international operations from day one.
“If Air Kerala intends to fly only domestically it will face challenges and will not be viable,” John Ellis, who has over 25 years of experience in the field, warned. He was speaking to Express on the sidelines of a private function in Kochi on Wednesday.
Regarding the proposed plans for new airports in the state, John Ellis said that though there is scope for further aviation business, too many airports are not necessary for the state.
“The state has three good airports now. If more airports come up, not many foreign airlines would be interested in scheduling operations to all these destinations. The upcoming airports have to concentrate on domestic flights. It is not good for the state if all airports vye for international routes,” he added.
He informed that the government of Fujairah is looking at possibilities for increased connectivity to Kerala and soon some international airlines will start operations here.
Recently, Kingfisher Training Academy signed an agreement with Fujairah International Airport to provide a month-long airport internship for its students there. Pointing at the opportunities in the aviation sector in the country, he said that many direct and indirect jobs will be created in the sector, in the near future.
“Airports have to concentrate on non-aeronautical revenue. In fact 80 per cent of the revenues of all major airports is from the non-aeronautical segment ,” he added.