Kerala for big aircraft in Karipur

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is pressing for the operation of wide-bodied aircraft at Karipur airport, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Monday. The civil aviation authorities insisted on increasing the length of the runway to 3,400 metres from 2,850 metres as well as the runway-end safety area. But the state wanted to operate wide-bodied aircraft with the existing runway, which was possible, he said. The state government also wished to operate Hajj services from Karipur. But the centre was not taking a favourable stand, he added.