Kerala Tourism Rides High with UK’s F-35B Fighter Jet in New Campaign

In a creative masterstroke, Kerala Tourism has turned a recent international headline into a promotional opportunity, capturing global attention with a cheeky new advertisement. The campaign cleverly references the UK’s F-35B fighter jet that was unexpectedly grounded in Kerala’s Kannur International Airport, labelling the incident as an "extended vacation" in God’s Own Country.

The British Royal Navy’s fighter jet made headlines after it remained in Kerala longer than planned due to technical reasons following its landing from HMS Prince of Wales. Rather than letting this remain a mere logistical story, Kerala Tourism flipped the narrative and featured it in their latest campaign, highlighting the jet’s "choice" to linger in Kerala — just like many travellers do when charmed by the state’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.

This fresh campaign aligns with Kerala’s ongoing efforts to maintain its position as one of India’s top travel destinations. Known for its serene backwaters, lush landscapes, Ayurveda, and rich culture, Kerala has consistently set benchmarks in tourism storytelling. With this move, the state not only showcases its appeal but also highlights its ability to adapt real-time moments into memorable marketing.

Tourism officials have said the intent was to inject humour while continuing to build Kerala’s image as an irresistible destination, one that even a state-of-the-art fighter jet wouldn't want to leave. From serene holidays to unexpected headlines, Kerala continues to make travel news fly high, quite literally this time, turning a grounded aircraft into a soaring brand moment.