THIRUVANANTHAPURAMPURAM: The proposed schedule for commissioning of the Kannur international airport has been further extended to 2018 September. The annual general body meeting of Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) here on Tuesday expected that the work on the runway and the terminal building could be completed by January. Jet Airways and Go Air got the Centre's nod to operate one service to Abu Dhabi and Dammam respectively.
More airlines have also shown interest in commencing domestic and international services from the new airport, said a statement from the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also the chairman of KIAL. Earlier, the airport was expected to be made operational this year itself. However, the work was affected due to various factors like adverse climate and change in top management. The meeting evaluated the progress of work. As per the existing schedule, work on runway and integrated terminal could be completed by January. The runway of the airport would be extended from 3,050 metres to 4,000 metres, making it the longest among the other airports in the state. Land acquisition for the runway expansion was also progressing, said the statement.
The statement also said that the those who had already purchased shares of lower value can take more shares. Cooperative organisations could also take shares. Recruitment to 84 posts were already made and recruitment to 94 posts is progressing. As many as 41 posts would be reserved for members of families evicted for the airport project, the statement said. Top officials including KIAL managing director P. Bal Kiran were present at the meeting.
