Kozhikode: Thousands of passengers to and from the Gulf countries will be hit by the crisis in the aviation sector caused by various reasons, including withdrawal of Boeing 737 Max 8 category aircraft after the Ethiopian air tragedy and the shortage of pilots and financial issues. The situation will worsen during the coming summer vacation in the state and later in Gulf countries, according to passengers and trade organisations here.
The services in the Gulf sector have been hit by the mass cancellation of Jet Airways flights due to financial crisis and shortage of pilots in Indigo Airlines, said a meeting of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Chamber Airport Committee.
The meeting asked the Airport Authority of India to grant permission to big Code- E category flights of Air India and Emirates Airlines to operate from the Calicut airport at Karipur. These aircraft have already gone through the stipulated safety tests and have a proven track record, they said in a statement. Thousands of Keralites in Gulf countries would be in dire straits if the confusion continues in the aviation sector, especially during the festival seasons of Vishu and Easter.
CCCI president Subair Kolakkadan, secretary Rajesh Kunhappan, Dr K. Moidu, airport subcommittee chairman C.E. Chakkunni, airport subcommittee convener among others participated in the meeting.
It may be recalled that Fly Dubai airlines has already started services from Karipur. If Emirates follows suit, it would link over 250 destinations in the world, it was pointed out.
