ORMAOverseas Returned Malayalees in America

PresidentSibichan Chemplayil

(215)869-5604Vice Presidents

George Oalickal (215)873-4365

George Idikkula (732)389-8482

TreasurerJose Attupuram

(267)231-4643Secretary

Paul Thekkumthala (215)698-9502Spokesperson

George Nadavayal (215)370-5318

NY Chapter PresidentAniyan Moolayil

(516)352-2335NJ Chapter Pesident

Jiby Thomas (914)573-1616

TX Chapter PresidentAlex Pallivathukkal

Shri. Vayalar RaviHon. Minister for Civil Aviation,New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Memorandum to Hon. Minister for Civil Aviation about start-ing direct Air India �ights to Kerala from major US Airports

Under your stewardship and visionary leadership, during past few months the department of civil aviation and Air India have been steer-ing in a remarkable new direction. The air tra�c in and out of India has grown multi folds with many tier II cities getting connected directly to the USA and Europe. Millions of passengers are bene�ting from this.

With the international carriers allowed to operate from many secondary airports in India like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Allahabad, etc. to USA and Europe, we fail to understand why these operations are not happening from Kochi or Thiruvantahpuram airports. There is a big discrimination when it comes to direct �ights for Keralites from USA and Europe to the airports in Kerala.

We are sure that a cost bene�t analysis will demonstrate direct �ights to Kerala will not only bring relief to the Malayalees living & working in USA but also signi�cantly increase revenues for Air India. There is a large and ever increasing Keralite population in USA always wanted to visit their homeland regularly preferring to reach their hometowns much faster, and with greater convenience.

Currently the passengers to Kerala from USA have to go through other gateway airports in India and spend considerable amount of time for connection �ights. In many cases this also results in inconveniences like transfer between the international and domestic airports, delay in custom and immigration formalities etc. As an example, the new schedule of Air India for the COK – JFK sector requires passengers to spend up to 12 hours at Delhi Airport on return segment.

ORMAOverseas Returned Malayalees in America

PresidentSibichan Chemplayil

(215)869-5604Vice Presidents

George Oalickal (215)873-4365

George Idikkula (732)389-8482

TreasurerJose Attupuram

(267)231-4643Secretary

Paul Thekkumthala (215)698-9502Spokesperson

George Nadavayal (215)370-5318

NY Chapter PresidentAniyan Moolayil

(516)352-2335NJ Chapter Pesident

Jiby Thomas (914)573-1616

TX Chapter PresidentAlex Pallivathukkal

Another option the airline travelers to Kerala are using is the Gulf based carriers making the airports in middle east as the gateway points. The current political turbulence in Gulf countries are limiting that choice too.

We feel that there is a huge market left untapped by the government owned Air India, the �ag carrier of India. With the starting of direct �ights to airports in Kerala from New York, Chicago and Dallas, we believe that a large number of travelers will immensely bene�t from the time and cost savings. This will also bring much needed additional revenue to Air India and promote the Gods Own Country Kerala with a large number of tourists from USA.

ORMA request you to kindly initiate the process of starting direct �ights from cities in USA where people of Kerala origin are largely concen-trated like New York, Chicago and Dallas to Kerala airports. We sincerely hope that the Ministry of Civil Aviation will look in to our petition and respond favorably as soon as possible.

ORMA (Overseas Returned Malayalees in America) is an organization of Keralites and their immedi-ate family members who migrated to USA while working or studying abroad (Europe / Gulf Countries / Australia / Africa etc.).