The new government that will take over in Kerala may have to push for more flights, especially international flights, from Kannur airport, which was built during the previous UDF government's tenure. Though it has been eight years since its inauguration, the civil aviation ministry is yet to grant point-of-call status that would allow foreign carriers to start services. Currently, the airport handles around 10 flights a day, with services to Dubai, Dammam, Muscat, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi operated by Indian carriers.
State Government's Demand Denied
The state government had requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allot point-of-call status to the airport, enabling more flights to destinations in the Middle East, as 25% of the state's Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) live in the airport's catchment area. However, the ministry declined the request.
In a written reply in Parliament, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated, "At present, the Government of India promotes more international operations by Indian carriers from non-metro points either directly or through their own domestic operations. Accordingly, non-metro points, including Kannur, are not being granted new points of call in the air services agreements to any foreign country."
Indian Carriers' Role
The minister said that Indian carriers can operate flights to destinations within the bilateral agreements. "The start of international flights from any point in India, including Kannur, is purely a commercial decision of the airlines based on the availability of slots, market requirement, economic viability of the route, and other associated factors," the minister added. Air India Express operates the most international flights, but the number of flights does not match the demand for seats, especially during summer months and on holidays.
Travel and Tour Operators' Concerns
Travel and tour operators feel that the new government may have to push the Union government to relax norms so that foreign carriers can start flights. In the absence of adequate flights, NRIs are forced to depend on Mangaluru airport or land in Bengaluru or Kochi. They say there is a need for more international flights from the airport to benefit the people of the northern region. "There is no point in having an airport and calling it international when there are inadequate flights and foreign carriers are not allowed to fly," said a travel agent.
The ministry says that granting point-of-call rights to foreign carriers depends on benefits to Indian aviation, diaspora presence, Indian carriers' future plans, reciprocity, and balance of benefits between countries. Domestic flights are also fewer, though northern districts have emerged as a popular tourism destination for people from Mumbai and Bengaluru.
