Kuwait and Singapore Airlines would soon launch services to and from Nedumbassery International Airport.

Disclosing this, Tourism Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas, who just returned from New Delhi, said that both the airlines had obtained the necessary permissions in this regard from the Union Government.

Oman Air was the first foreign airline to start its services to and from the airport. The airline, which launched its services on August 22, has already announced its decision to introduce soon more flights on the Kerala-Gulf sector. The airline's current schedule is to operate three Muscat-Kochi services a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with a total of 600 seats.

Several other foreign airlines are in queue for the necessary permissions to start services. These developments are expected augur well for the debt-ridden airport in which Gulf Keralites have a major stake.

The Kerala Government's decision to slash its shares in the airport from 51per cent to 26, as demanded by non-resident Keralites' (NRKs) also is expected help attract investment that could gradually help the airport come out of the red. The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) had mooted a rights issue of shares but there were hardly any takers.

Investors, including NRKs, shunned the issue as the State Government was controlling majority shares in the company. Besides boosting the airport's economy, the services are expected to help attract more tourists.

The airport is the first in India to be built with public participation and more than 10,000 NRKs have a major stake in it.