KOZHIKODE: Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry is all set to revive agitation to end the state's apathy and seeking acceleration of Calicut International Airport privatisation.
They said the airport, established through a series of struggles, is now in bad shape due to the negative attitude of the state.
Anyone who observes the situation can understand that despite repeated efforts of the CCCI, the office of the chief minister failed to act, it said.
Before the current government came to power, the LDF had assured in its election manifesto to promote the airport. After the election, the CCCI contacted Pinarayi Vijayan for a favourable stand, but in vain.
There was not even a single step to take over 136 acres of land required by the Airports Authority for its development.
The chamber also pointed out that the fuel tax exemption allowed for services under the UDAN scheme has been granted for all services operated from Kannur, but at Calicut airport, the tax has been kept at 29 per cent.
However, the current increase of 4 per cent in the Kozhikode airport is again applicable. This too can be seen as a discriminatory approach to Calicut Airport.
As the last nail in the coffin, a meeting Mr Vijayan called recently with foreign airline operators and civil aviation officials ignored the airport.
While 39 additional flights were allotted, not a single service was granted to the airport here.
