December 17, 2010
In southwestern India’s North Malabar region, the foundation stone was laid for a new airport in the district of Kannur in the state of Kerala. This inaugural event was attended by what the daily newspaper Hindu characterized as “a massive turnout of people from different parts of the district.” The array of dignitaries in attendance included V.S. Achuthanandan, chief minister of Kerala from May 2006 to May 2011; and Praful Patel, India’s minister of state of civil aviation from May 2004 to January 2011.
It was Achuthanandan who laid the foundation stone at the construction site. Achuthanandan, who also lit a traditional lamp to likewise mark for formal commencement of work on Kannur International Airport, talked about the importance of this facility for that section of India. “The Chief Minister said that the fourth airport in the State would mark the fruition of a much cherished dream of the people of North Malabar and would be a major venture for the development of the region and the State,” reported the Hindu. “The Chief Minister exuded hope that the new airport would boost export activities from the region, especially in textile, fishery and spice industries.”
Nearly eight years after that Friday ceremony, Kannur International Airport formally began commercial operations. The first commercial passenger aircraft to depart from the airport was an Air India Express IX 715 jet airliner headed for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This flight was jointly flagged off by Pinaravi Vijayan, chief minister of Kerala since May 2016; and Suresh Prabhu, minister of state of civil aviation from March 2018 to May 2019. In the time since the commencement of commercial operations, the airport has been serving an average of 4,000 passengers per day.
For more information on Kannur International Airport, please check out https://www.kannurairport.aero/
Additional information on the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the airport is available at https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/VS-lays-foundation-stone-for-Kannur-international-airport/article15596787.ece
Photo Credit: Sharjilrishal (Creative Commons)
Transportation History 
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