Emirates to commence flights from Kannur: Report

Emirates is ready to make trial landing at Kannur Internaional Airport in Kerala on December 31.

The first major boost to Kannur International Airport, which is getting ready for trial landing in December this year has come from Emirates.
The world's biggest international carrier based in the UAE has confirmed operation of international flights from Kannur, Kerala's fourth international airport, once it becomes functional, according to a report in the Times of India.
The airline has sought permission to start services from mid 2016. A letter in this regard was written to Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Chaubey by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority Director General Mohammed A Ahli. The report quoted Ahli as saying that Emirates was keen to launch services to Kannur airport as soon as it becomes operational. Ahli cited the inconvenience caused to Calicut-bound passengers owing to repair works at Karipur airport and hoped that operation to Kannur will address the problem partially.
The airline was forced to discontinue 11 weekly flights to Calicut from May 15 in the light of the strengthening and re-carpeting of the runway. To make up the loss partially, the airline was allowed to operate seven weekly flights to Cochin and two flights to Trivandrum.
Emirates airline is among nine foreign airlines approached by the Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) for operating flights to the new airport. The others are Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways and Maldivian Airlines.
KIAL managing director G Chandramouli had written to these airlines after talks he had with various airlines at the World Routes 2015 forum in Durban. The platform was used to showcase the airport and the opportunities that would be part of commencing air connectivity to north Kerala.
Meanwhile, hectic works are on for facilitating the landing of the trial flight on December 31. Airport officials said that 2400 metres of runway would be ready by then. It would be extended to 3,040 metres in the second phase.
In the case of the terminal building, the structural work for the first two floors had been completed. The supporting infrastructure is also getting ready. Fifty per cent of work to provide dedicated power to the airport by the Kerala State Electricity Board has been completed.
- business@khaleejtimes.com