Amidst Interest From Top Airlines, Kerala’s Kannur Airport Gets Permission To Operate International Flights

Kannur international airport has received permission from The Union Civil Aviation Ministry to operate international flights, The Hindu has reported.

The Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) has been gearing up for commercial operations from 9 December this year. Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey has reportedly communicated to the KIAL authorities that the ministry is ready to give the nod to foreign carriers that are ready to divert international flights being operated by them to any airports in the country to Kannur.

Various international operators such as Emirates, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Fly Dubai, Air Asia, Silk Air, Sri Lankan Airlines and Malindo Air have evinced interest in Kannur. Among these Etihad Airways is reported to be a strong contender to operate to and from Kannur.

Indian operators were permitted earlier by the ministry to operate international flights from Kannur. Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu will dedicate the Rs 2,292 crore airport to the nation and later jointly flag off the inaugural Air India Express flight on 9 December.