Ali who hails from Kerala runs Lulu group of supermarket chain. He is looking at the possibility of starting an airline service between his home state and the Middle East, which has a significant population of Keralites.

Air Asia's Anthony Fernandez is eyeing a full-fledged airline service in India.

Both Ali and Fernandez have separately held informal discussions with Indian business leaders here at Davos where they are attending the WEF annual meeting.

While the two could not be reached for their comments, sources said both are very much interested in the Indian aviation space.

Ali, who used to be on board of Air India, had earlier said that he might partner the Kerala government to start a service for catering to people travelling to the Middle-East from the state.

Fernandez, sources said, is more interested in partnering some Indian business house for the venture, although the other option of buying equity in an existing carrier is also open.

Earlier this month, Jet Airways had said that it was in talks for a potential stake sale to UAE-based carrier Etihad.

Another airliner SpiceJet recently said that some investors have shown interest in the company.