Karipur: After a hiatus of over three years, a wide-bodied aircraft from Saudi Arabia landed
at Calicut International Airport on Wednesday. The aircraft of Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) from Jeddah carrying 282 passengers on board reached the airport at 11.10 am and was received with a water salute.
It was in May 2015, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the suspension of operations of wide-bodied aircraft in Calicut Airport as per the instruction of the Director General of Civil
Aviation. The services were suspended for six months for re-carpeting work citing safety guidelines. But later, the operations of the wide-bodied aircraft were delayed citing various technical issues.
The apathy on the part of authorities had drawn flak and attracted angst of the people of Kozhikode and Malappuram, who had relied on the airport for their movement to West Asian countries. Also, Calicut was one of the busiest airports in the country and there were even allegations that the authorities with vested interests were deliberately trying to destroy the airport.
Speaking to reporters, Saudia Assistant Vice-president International (Sales) Nawaf N Al Jakthami said they were happy to resume operations to the Calicut International Airport after three years.
“Saudia will operate seven flights in a week – four from Jeddah and three from Riyadh – to Calicut airport,” he said adding all the flights will have a total seating capacity of 298, including 26 business class seats. It is a privilege to resume our operations as India is one of our major markets, he said.
06/12/18 New Indian Express
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at Calicut International Airport on Wednesday. The aircraft of Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) from Jeddah carrying 282 passengers on board reached the airport at 11.10 am and was received with a water salute.
It was in May 2015, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the suspension of operations of wide-bodied aircraft in Calicut Airport as per the instruction of the Director General of Civil
Aviation. The services were suspended for six months for re-carpeting work citing safety guidelines. But later, the operations of the wide-bodied aircraft were delayed citing various technical issues.
The apathy on the part of authorities had drawn flak and attracted angst of the people of Kozhikode and Malappuram, who had relied on the airport for their movement to West Asian countries. Also, Calicut was one of the busiest airports in the country and there were even allegations that the authorities with vested interests were deliberately trying to destroy the airport.
Speaking to reporters, Saudia Assistant Vice-president International (Sales) Nawaf N Al Jakthami said they were happy to resume operations to the Calicut International Airport after three years.
“Saudia will operate seven flights in a week – four from Jeddah and three from Riyadh – to Calicut airport,” he said adding all the flights will have a total seating capacity of 298, including 26 business class seats. It is a privilege to resume our operations as India is one of our major markets, he said.
06/12/18 New Indian Express
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