Karipur: Amidst the financial crisis, Kozhikode International Airport here has placed within the top 10 airports in India which recorded huge rush of international passengers. The airport was placed in 4th position in the list. Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi airports are placed in the first three positions.
At the same time, the Kozhikode airport has overtaken Kannur airport in domestic passenger traffic.
Kozhikode international airport has achieved the position amidst the restrictions and limitations in the service.
Interestingly, Kozhikode topped the list by operating less services compared to Kannur airport.
Following the post-COVID season, over one lakh international passengers travelled from Kozhikode airport in January.
Earlier, Kannur airport has witnessed an increase in number of domestic passengers when compared to Kozhikode soon after commencing operation.
The relaxations given by the state government and KIAL favoured Kannur airport to record increase in the number of passengers.
Domestic passenger traffic also increased in Kannur compared to Kozhikode during this period.
39 new services were started from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kannur after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held talks with the airlines in 2019. But no service was granted to Kozhikode airport.
Now, the airport has recorded good passenger traffic after overcoming these challenges.
In January, 28,867 domestic passengers travelled in 456 flights operated from Kozhikode airport.
Meanwhile, Kannur recorded 27,889 domestic passengers in 507 services.
Along with domestic services, Kozhikode airport recorded achievement in international services too.
