Kerala gets 4th international airport at Kannur

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suresh Prabhu, Union Civil Aviation Minister and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerela inaugurated Kerala’s fourth international airport at Kannur (north Kerala) on December 9, 2018 by jointly flagging off the maiden Air India Express flight to Abu Dhabi.

Vijayan said, “It is a historic moment for north Kerala. No doubt the new airport will fuel growth in Malabar area.”Prabhu said that Kannurhas scripted another chapter in country’s aviation industry and it will paveway for the overall development of the state. He said that the new green airport will be a role model for the upcoming airports.

C M Ibrahim, Former Civil Aviation Minister was also felicitated at the occasion. Around one lakh people were present to witness the gala ceremony.

The Kannur airport, built on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode is a semi-corporate airport. 67.14 per cent shares in the Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL) are owned by individuals (mostly NRIs) and corporate entities whereas the state government owns 32.86 per cent stakes in return for land and other development undertaken in the area. It can facilitate big aircrafts like Boeing 777 and has parking capacity for 20 big and small aircrafts. It has 24 check-in counters, self-baggage drop counters and 32immigration counters.

Kerala already has three international airports, at Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. The new airport is expected to encourage tourism and other developmental activities in north Kerala and adjoining Kodaguregion of southern Karnataka.

The Civil Aviation Minister said that the airport will helpthe non-resident Keralites (NRKs), especially in the Gulf region, besides boosting tourism and exports.