Test flight from Kannur airport on February 29

Thiruvananthapuram: The first test flight from Kannur greenfield airport will take off on February 29, Minister for Excise, Fisheries and Ports K. Babu announced in the Assembly on Tuesday.

The Minister said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had given technical clearance for the flight after inspecting the airport. The Defence Ministry would be providing the Code-B aircraft for the test.

Mr. Babu said that the airport would start commercial operations from September this year. Further development was proposed in two stages. During the first stage from 2016-19 to 2025-26, facilities would be provided for landing of aircraft from UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The length of the runway, which is currently 3050 metres, would be extended to 3400 metres in the first phase itself and to 4000 metres in the second phase (2026-2046).  The capacity of terminal, apron and other facilities would also be extended in the second phase.

He said that of the 2200 acres proposed to be acquired initially for the airport; 1276 acres had already been acquired.  Land acquisition for emergency road and extension of runways were under way. The total cost was Rs. 1892 crores.

He noted that the construction of the airport, inaugurated by A. K. Antony in February 2, 2014, had progressed at record speed. Usually, the construction of airports took three to five years.

He said that the State government held 35 per cent of the equity of the airport company. Public sector undertakings held 25 per cent; airport PSU, 10 per cent and private parties, 30 per cent. The authorized capital was Rs. 1000 crores. A consortium of banks led by Canara Bank had extended loan of Rs. 892 crore. A joint venture with BPCL had been formed for setting up fuel farm.

The Minister said that the 1.30 crore people had used various airports in the country in 2014-15. The growth in passenger traffic was 8.6 per cent. Considering this, the future of the Kannur airport looked bright.

Thanking all who cooperated with the project, Mr. Babu said that that the promise given to the people by the UDF government was being realised as a result of continuing guidance and supervision of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.