Thiruvananthapuram: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is likely to conduct a runway calibration test at the upcoming Kannur International Airport in July.
Kannur International Airport Limited managing director V Thulasidas said that work of the 3,050 metre runway was almost over, except reinforcement work on the end portions which was likely to be completed by May. “We have sought AAI’s calibration test with their special flight in July and are awaiting their reply,” said Mr. Thulasidas.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan who held talks with Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi on Tuesday had said that a meeting of central government agencies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Airports Authority of India would be held in Delhi on April 27 to expedite steps to commission the airport by September.
The Chief Minister also urged the centre to convene a meeting of foreign airlines for operating services to the Kannur airport. He also urged that the Kannur airport be included in the regional connectivity scheme so that more domestic services could be operated. The union minister had responded to these positively, the Chief Minister told reporters.
The Chief Minister also said that the Union Minister had assured that he would send a team of officials concerned to Karippur to review the possibility of resuming wide-bodied aircraft. The Union Minister also assured that he would initiate expansion works of the Thiruvananthapuram airport as soon as 18.5 acres of land sought by AAI was acquired. The chief minister also discussed the proposal for an airport near Sabarimala with the union minister.
