Kozhikode: For the second year running, there are no direct Haj flights from the Calicut International Airport as the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation is firm that no wide-bodied aircraft will touch down here till the runway is expanded and safeguards are in place.
The situation looks set to continue next year also, though Calicut airport expansion campaigners believe that at least after runway renovation in February 2017, exemption would be given for Haj flights.
The flights were shifted to the Cochin International Airport when runway renovation works began last May.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has said that the Calicut airport, with a mere tabletop runway, was never suitable for large aircraft. An exemption for Haj flights somewhere in the early 90s was conveniently converted into a permanent schedule. Therefore, exemption will not be given anymore.
Calicut Airport Director K. Janardhanan said priority was only for safety. On runway expansion, he said, “The situation is evolving. Let us wait.”
28/08/16 KV Prasad/The Hindu
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The situation looks set to continue next year also, though Calicut airport expansion campaigners believe that at least after runway renovation in February 2017, exemption would be given for Haj flights.
The flights were shifted to the Cochin International Airport when runway renovation works began last May.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has said that the Calicut airport, with a mere tabletop runway, was never suitable for large aircraft. An exemption for Haj flights somewhere in the early 90s was conveniently converted into a permanent schedule. Therefore, exemption will not be given anymore.
Calicut Airport Director K. Janardhanan said priority was only for safety. On runway expansion, he said, “The situation is evolving. Let us wait.”
28/08/16 KV Prasad/The Hindu
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