KERALA'S AVIATION EXPANSION PROGRESS AMIDST CHALLENGES

Four international airports and a fifth on the way mark Kerala's aviation growth, but financial struggles and safety concerns reveal that all is not well, uncovers RASHEED KAPPAN

- RASHEED KAPPAN

A record fifth international airport, taking shape in a small State like Kerala should be a telling testimony to enhanced regional air connectivity. But the existential crisis of the fourth one commissioned five years ago in Kannur and the safety challenges of two other airports in the state alter the dynamics of this rosy picture.

Billed as an aerial gateway to South India's reputed pilgrimage site in Sabarimala, the proposed greenfield international airport will also serve the towns of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta in South Kerala. Located 136 kms from the State capital Thiruvananthapuram, and 113 kms from Kochi, the new airport will be built over 2,570 acres.

Final DGCA clearance awaited

Decks are being cleared in multiple phases for the aerodrome, which will catapult Kerala as the State with the most international airports. Marking a critical step forward, the PM Gati Shakti, which grants approval to big infrastructure projects nationwide, recently gave its go-ahead for the project. Once the State government notifications and other procedures are cleared, the stage will be set for the final green signal from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

But questions are being raised about its long-term viability, especially when the Kannur airport, commissioned in 2018, faces a mountain of problems. Despite the initial buzz, the Kannur airport has seen most flights ceasing operations due to poor load factors. Currently, only two airlines - Air India Express and Indigo -operate from the airport.

Kannur airport: Losses mount