The Cochin International Airport (CIAL), the first international airport in the country outside the ambit of the union government, is planning to launch a dedicated international cargo airline service.

The airport management is currently in talks with a leading international player and a domestic partner for launching the freighter service that will connect West Asian destinations.

CIAL is also exploring possibilities to partner with national carrier Indian Airlines for converting old passenger aircraft into cargo planes.

The cargo services will be operated under the brand name Air Kerala, which was floated to launch an international low-fare carrier to the Gulf destinations.

 "The project will supplement our proposed state-of-the-art centre for perishable cargo, which can handle 40,000 metric tonnes a year. With this centre and freighter service, we can facilitate the export and import of perishable cargoes such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish and meat products to different parts of the country and the world, including West Asia," S Bharath, managing director, CIAL, told Business Standard.

This is the first time that an airport is working towards launching cargo airline business. CIAL is a novel venture in the Indian aviation history, where the Kerala government, travelling public, financial institutions, airport service providers and others have joined hands.

Asked about the Air Kerala project, Bharath said, "We have already registered the company for starting Air Kerala. If the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) gives us permission to fly to Gulf destinations, we will immediately start the services. We are also in talks with aircraft leasing companies, and the airline will offer low fares to Gulf travellers."

The revival of Air Kerala concept comes at a time when the union government is planning to allow start-up airlines to fly overseas on a case-to-case basis.

However, the union civil aviation minister Praful Patel said Air Kerala would not be allowed to fly to the Gulf. Air Kerala had plans to reserve 20 seats in each aircraft for poor non-resident Indians (NRIs) unable to return for more than five years and charge them only one-fourth of the fare.