Good days are ahead for Kerala aviation sector
Kannur Airport
Good days are ahead for Kerala aviation sector as the most awaited Kannur Airport will be functional by 1st October 2018. Besides, Calicut airport has got green signal from the DGCA to operate wide body aircrafts. Adding to the joy of the airborne passengers, permission to operate amphibious seaplanes also attained from the Ministry of Aviation.
“Kannur airport would be made operational from October 1. This airport will host flights on many UDAN routes. Saudi Arabia Airlines have already promised to start international air operations from here,” said Suresh Prabhu, Union minister for civil aviation.
“Indigo Airlines, Air India and Go Air have also promised to start domestic operations from here,” he added.
Calicut Airport
Calicut airport, which has restricted from operating wide body aircracts citing safety concerns, has now received DGCA safety approvals to resume operations of wide-bodied aircraft like the Airbus A-330 and Boeing B-777s in the airport.
“Jet Air, Go Air and Indigo would start operations from Kannur Airport to Abu Dhabi, Dammam and Doha, once the airport starts operations from October”, said Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, while explaining the operations of Kannur Airport.
“With Kannur, it will be for the first time that a greenfield airport would start international and domestic operations,” said Prabhu, mentioning it as a proud achievement for the civil aviation ministry and accomplishment of a long-standing demand of Kerala.
Among other things, the Union civil aviation ministry has given permission to a first-ever policy for commencing the operations of amphibious seaplanes and waterdromes in the country. The minister said prospective parties can approach DGCA for starting operations of seaplanes.
Seaplane – Photo for representation only (Photo Courtesy: Minds Eye Design)
The move is seen as a signal to start operations of twin turbo planes to islands like Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar or to dams in Munnar or to Sardar Patel dam site.
K J Alphons, Union Tourism Minister, who was present during the announcement, said his ministry has proposed a list of 34 iconic destinations to where air routes can be made operational. He has given a proposal to the civil aviation ministry, suggesting that tourism ministry is ready to bear the cost for the same.