KOZHIKODE: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) suggested to the state government to submit a proposal for a greenfield airport at Thiruvambadi in Kozhikode district in coordination with the Malabar Development Council (MDC). AAI also ruled out operating big aircraft from Karipur airport, which is in Malappuram district, until the runway extension project is completed. The letter dated November 2 is in response to a memorandum on the grievances of air passengers from the region submitted by a delegation from here. MDC chairman C.E. Chakkunni told DC that an initiative from the state government would ensure a good airport for Malabar as the Calicut international airport at Karipur is closed for large aircraft due to the delay in extending the length of runway.
“Now what we need is a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the state government and a proposal for the airport through proper channel to AAI,” Mr Chakkunni said. He said 1,854 acres of plantation land has been already identified which was attested earlier as ideal for an airport by aviation experts. “We can opt for the CIAL model or it can be a build-operate-transfer (BOT) method,” he said. “Three companies have already evinced interest in the project. People’s representatives, local self-government bodies and the public are ready to extend all support for the project.”
Then AAI chairman V.P. Agarwal had in 2011 expressed willingness to conduct a feasibility study on the demand for a new international greenfield airport in Kozhikode. Ruling out possibilities of granting permission for big aircraft to operate from the airport the AAI letter further said that “the operation of Code E aircraft with the present infrastructure constraints shall endanger safety of aircraft which not recommended by the aviation regulator in India after accepting the court of inquiry recommendations on Mangalore aircraft crash.” The operation of big aircraft may be considered by director general of civil aviation subject to the extension of runway after acquisition of additional land requested by state government, the letter said.
