Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates Kannur airport

KANNUR: The long wait is over, and the dream has come true. Finally, Kannur International Airport (KIAL) has taken wings with the maiden flight by Air India Express to Abu Dhabi. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and union minister for civil aviation Suresh Prabhu flagged off the first aircraft at 10.06 am on Sunday, carrying 185 passengers, thus crossing yet another milestone in the aviation history of the nation, by commissioning the fourth international airport in the state.
Later, addressing a public meeting, Pinarayi Vijayan, who formally inaugurated the facility, said when the idea of the airport evolved way back in 1990s, there was apprehension whether it would be practical to have an airport here. But now the airport has been materialized and it has the potential to become one of the most important 4-5 airports in the country.

Air India Express flight
He also said the Kerala government is ready to take over Thiruvananthapuram airport, since the central government has decided to privatise it. In the case of Kozhikode airport also the government has the same stand, as it has experience in managing airports, said the chief minister.
Union minister Suresh Prabhu, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said this airport is a very good model of development with the central and state governments having stake in it. Observing that connectivity is a pre-requisite for development, the minister also said Kerala has the highest potential for growth.
Though Air India Express and Go Air have started operation in the beginning, more companies would start operations in the coming days, said the officials. Flights under the Udan scheme would also operate from here.
Various cultural activities were also organised to add glitter to the inaugural function, and the passengers in the inaugural flight were accorded a special reception at the airport. Senior officials from KIAL, Airports Authority of India and also people’s representatives were present in the inaugural ceremony.