What has revived hopes of the State is a statement by the new Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju that the Modi Government was all for states having their own airlines.

The Minister, however, said, that so far, the Government has not received any such proposal from Kerala, adding that as soon as it is received, the government will consider it..

A jubilant Kerala Government has decided to swing into action immediately by deciding to pursue its pet agenda with renewed vigour. Indications are that all the necessary formalities in this connection will be initiated very soon.

The Manmohan Singh Government had rejected the proposal on the ground that an airlines must have at least five years experience in operating domestic flights; also, it must have a fleet of at least 15 aircraft before being allowed to operate on the international routes. The then Civil Aviation Ministry had refused to relax the rules to enable Kerala to have an airlines of its own.

Kerala had been constrained to moot the Air Kerala project because of the callous and insensitive attitude of the Air India towards Keralite passengers who form a significant section of the airline's use. Just one instance will show the AI's shocking attitude towards the Keralite passengers bound for the Gulf countries. During the peak season last year, the AI withdrew a few aircraft putting the Gulf=bound passengers to great inconvenience and harassment. The aircraft were diverted for use in Uttar Pradesh, the home state of the Civil Aviation Minister in the Manmohan Singh Government, Ajit Singh!

What is even more shocking is that during the peak season, the AI would announce exorbitant rise in the air fares. Needless to say, the AI's arbitrary and totally unjustified actions create extreme hardship for the Keralites who return from their holidays during the peak season.

Repeated requests both by the Kerala Government and Ministers and MPs from Kerala, the then Civil Aviation Ministry refused to take any step to alleviate the suffering of the passengers.

In disgust, prominent Keralite businessman in the Gulf, M A Yousaf Ali had resigned from the director board of the Air India. Ali then gave enthusiastic support for the Air Kerala project, promising all help from the businessmen in the Gulf countries. In fact, he was made a member of the proposed Air Kerala's director board. Prominent Keralite businessmen in the Gulf have promised to contribute handsomely to ensure realisation of the long-standing dream of Malayalis and NRKs.

The new Union Government's favourable response to the Air Kerala proposal has come as a shot in the arm for the Keralites desperately looking for a permanent solution to their air travel woes. Hopefully, happier days are ahead for Gulf-bound passengers from Kerala, which, ironically, contributes a substantial slice of the Air India's revenue! (IPA Service)