Centre yet to grant ‘point of call’ status to Kannur airport despite representations: Kerala govt

Kerala government seeks 'point of call' status for Kannur airport to boost international flight services, facing Centre's neglect.

The Kerala government on Friday (October 11, 2024) said that Kannur airport was yet to receive 'point of call' status, enabling foreign airlines to operate services from there, despite several representations to the Centre and a recommendation by a parliamentary standing committee in favour of that.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh made this submission in the Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in response to UDF MLA Sajeev Joseph calling the Chief Minister’s attention to the necessity of increasing the number of flight services from Kannur airport and to develop it into international standards.

Mr. Rajesh said the issue of granting 'point of call' status to the airport was raised before the Centre several times. The Chief Minister himself met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu over this matter, he added.

"The CM has submitted a memorandum to the Civil Aviation Minister on September 28," he said.

A parliamentary standing committee has also recommended granting 'point of call' status to the airport. However, till date, the 'point of call' status has not been granted, Mr. Rajesh said, adding that Kerala has also sought that the airport be included in the UDAN scheme of the government.

The UDAN scheme, also known as 'Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik', is a regional airport development programme of the Union government.

Mr. Rajesh said the State government will continue to press for the grant of 'point of call' status to Kannur airport and called upon the UDF MLAs to join the efforts by exerting pressure on the Centre in Parliament.