With the Kannur international airport becoming a reality, it is an opportunity for the 30-year-old Calicut international airport to buckle up and improve amenities for passengers from Malabar.
The commissioning of the fourth international airport in the State, managed by a public-private consortium, is expected to give tough competition to airports in Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Calicut, all operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Calicut airport will be directly impacted as Kannur is eyeing to boost the domestic and international connectivity of north Malabar.
Sources said the impact would be known only after six months or so when the Kannur airport commences full-fledged domestic and international operations. Possibly, Kannur will get a large slice of passengers in Kannur district, rural Kozhikode, and Wayanad who have till now been relying on the Calicut airport. Besides, the Kannur airport will be catering to regions in Kasaragod and Coorg. It is expected to handle around 15 lakh passengers a year. Unquestionably, Kannur will provide modern and advanced facilities to travellers. For now, only mid-sized aircraft under Code C will operate though the airport which has parking bays for 14 Code E and 20 Code C aircraft.
Nevertheless, Calicut, despite the ban on operation of wide-bodied aircraft for three years, handled 32 lakh passengers last year. Now, the ban has been lifted with Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) recommencing daily operations. Further, the Ministry of Minorities Affairs has restored the embarkation point for Haj pilgrims.
Also, it is expected that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will give approval for Dubai-based Emirates and Air India to operate big flights assigned under Code E.
The Calicut airport is being given a face-lift with new terminal hall, canopies, shelter roofing, food courts, and retail shops. The authorities are awaiting the commissioning of the new international arrival block that will facilitate over 20 Customs counters and emigration counters. Around 5,000 people can be accommodated at the facility at a time.
However, the airport will have to seek the State government’s help to tackle parking space issues. The AAI has requested the government to acquire 15 acres for establishing a multi-level car parking facility.
Sources said private airports may offer better facilities but they come at a price unlike State-run airports that offfer free amenities to passengers. Incidentally, the Calicut airport does not charge airlines for using aerobridges.
