: Kerala's neighbourhood network 'Kudumbasree' is likely to start a flight kitchen soon, if everything goes as planned.
The all woman network, which has a well-known catering brand called 'Cafe Kudumbasree', is getting ready to take up in-flight catering in the Air India Express (AIE) flights, being operated in the Gulf sector, official sources here said.
The airline has approved an initial project report submitted by 'Kudumbasree' and a detailed report on quality standards, cleanliness, packing and distribution of the food would be submitted soon to get the final nod, they said.
The first flight kitchen would be opened in Kochi, if the project gets the approval, sources said.
"Departmental discussions are progressing in this regard. The detailed report will be handed over to the airline soon and further discussion will be held later," they said.
The airline has shown interest in the collaboration due to the immense demand for south Indian cuisine by passengers in the sector and the 'Kudumbasree's success saga in catering, they said.
Kudumbashree is the poverty alleviation programme of the Kerala government, launched in 1998. It is envisaged to wipe out poverty and empower women through community action under the leadership of Local Self Governments.
The programme has 37 lakh members and covers more than 50 per cent of households in Kerala.
