Kerala

Kerala is an ecological hotspot. Travellers come from across the world to experience its rich heritage and enterprising denizens. It is a coastal site wedged between the Lakshadweep and the Western Ghats. Its essence of hospitality adds up bountiful natural wealth. All of which makes Kerala an ideal touchdown point in India.

Kerala is a state in the south-western India. It is located on the Malabar Coast, bordered by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the south and the east and the Arabian Sea to the west.

The state of Kerala was created on 1st November 1956 by passing the State Reorganisation Act.

Thirvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala, the southern most district of the state.

Natives of Kerala are called Malayalis.

Malayalam is the official language of Kerala.

Kerala is renowned world over for its backwaters, Ayurvedic treatments and tropical greenery. It is God’s own Country, offering a choice of mesmerising beauties and aesthetic sights. The costal state wedges between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats, comprising a range of high mountains, gorgeous gorges and dazzling deep-cut valleys.

Kerala experiences maritime tropical climate. The best time to visit Kerala is between October and March.

There is much to see in Kerala. Major cities of Kerala are Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode.

Kerala’s climate boosts a huge biodiversity. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the eastern hills preserves over 900 species of highly medicinal plants.

The culture of Kerala derives from Tamilakam and Karnataka. Elephants play an important role in daily life of Keralites. People love, revere, groom and give due respect to elephants.

The Carnatic music rules the Keralite traditional music. Kathakali, a dance form, is Kerala’s must-see cultural event.

Kerala is well connected by rail, road and air. Trivandrum International Airport is the main airport of Kerala, approx. 3.7 Km from downtown. There are two terminals of the airport: Terminal 1 operates domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flight operations.

Air India, Air Arabia, Air India Express, Emirates, Etihad, Indian, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Maldivian, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SilkAir, Srilankan Airlines and Tiger Airways are the main service providers.

Air India to introduce ‘AI’ instead of two separate codes from next month

Air India, India’s national carrier is planning to introduce a single code “AI” from the next month. Instead of using two separate codes, AI and IC for both International and domestic flights respectively, the national flagship carrier will use “AI”. Arvind Jadhav, chairman and managing director announced this code and bade fair to provide enjoyable and hassle-free travel for passengers.

Indian air market to grow even more

IndiGo Airlines indicates better market prospects despite huge losses, poor yield and overcapacity posted by major countries’ carriers. Its latest agreement for the new aircraft appears to illustrate confidence in the Indian Market. While Airbus and Boeing affirm by saying that India is still among the strongest of air traffic expansion over the next two decades.

IndiGo is a low-cost Indian carrier, operating domestic air service with linking more than 25 destinations across the country. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is the main base of IndiGo. The airline began services in 2006 with Delhi-Imphal flight.

The airline also stays outside the spell of carrier-consolidation, including Jet Airways and Air Sahara, Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan and Air India and Indian Airlines, as sought to counter economic pressures.

Now, India’s low-cost carrier,IndiGo, is among the carriers set to take advantage of Indian threshold. The airline is also planning to fly on international routes.

Airbus predicts domestic Indian traffic volume at 9.2% a year. The overall figure is expected to exceed 250 trillion revenue passenger-kilometres by 2029, and is further added that from India to China, South-east Asia and North America would be the fastest-growing flows.