11 airlines ready to start services from Kannur Airport

KOCHI: Eleven international and six domestic airline companies have expressed readiness to operate from Kannur International Airport, which is expected to commence services in October - November, according to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

“Considerable progress has been achieved during the last two years in the construction of Kannur airport. Land acquisition for extending the runway length from 3050 to 4000 metres is fast progressing. Once the runway extension is completed Kannur airport will become the biggest airport in Kerala,” Pinarayi, who is also the chairman of the Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL), said after presiding over the annual general body meeting held in Trivandrum on Saturday.

The international airline companies ready to start services include Emirates, Ethihad, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Saudia, Silk Air, Air Asia and Malindo Air. Indian companies like Air India, Air India Express, Jet Airways, Indigo, Spicejet and Goair are also ready to operate from Kannur.

Infrastructure works including runway, airside works, terminal building, baggage handling system including X-ray machine, check in counters, emigration check points, lifts, escalators and passenger boarding bridge have already been completed.

Construction of an international air cargo complex, four-storeyed airport ofICE Complex, ive-storyed CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) residential complex, 23-km road adjacent to the boundary wall and landscaping work will be completed within a year and a half.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) had already set up Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range navigation system and Instrument Landing System. These systems have already been tested successfully. Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) CARRIED out LIGHT trials by Air India Express and Indigo on Sept.20 and 21as per directives of AAI.

Chief minister also said that airport license would be granted shortly based on LIGHT trials AND other Inspections.

CISF have decided to employ 613 security staff from 1st October. KIAL has already appointed 136 airport oficials out of A total requirement of 180 personnel to run the facility. Members of the families who lost their homes due to the acquisition of land for the airport would be given placement.