The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sanctioned plans and funding for the recarpeting of the runway at the Calicut Airport to ensure safety for passengers landing and taking off on flights from there, especially during the monsoons.
Operations of bigger aircrafts such as B-777, B-747 and A-330-200 at Calicut airport will, therefore, be suspended for a period of six months from May 1.
The situation will be reviewed after assessing the progress of re-carpeting work of the runway and the decision communicated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in this regard.
Out of 162 flights per week (41 domestic + 121 international), only 26 flights per week of Saudia Airlines, Emirates and Air India will be affected due to suspension of operations of the above category aircraft at the Calicut Airport.
However, airlines can operate aircraft such as B-757, B-767, B -737, A-310, A-320 etc or similar aircraft.
The AAI has also requested the Government of Kerala to provide 248 acres of land for the extension of the runway, including for the runway end safety area and the basic strip of 150 metres on either side of the runway centerline.
