Kannur's Sky Remains Grounded: Air India Express Snubs Gulf Routes, Sparking Financial Crisis at CIAA

While the skies above other major Kerala airports buzz with renewed activity, a dark cloud of uncertainty looms large over Kannur International Airport (CIAA). The root of this deepening crisis? A baffling decision by Air India Express (AIE) to indefinitely delay the resumption of its critical Gulf flight services from Kannur, even as its operations from Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram have soared back to pre-pandemic levels.

This inexplicable disparity is not just a logistical hiccup; it's a severe blow to the economic lifeline of northern Kerala and a direct threat to the financial stability of CIAA Limited.

Before the global shutdown, Air India Express was a cornerstone of connectivity for Kannur, boasting an impressive 26 weekly services linking the airport to vital destinations across the Gulf.

These flights weren't just routes; they were lifelines for thousands of non-resident Keralites, a crucial artery for remittances, and a significant revenue generator for the fledgling airport. With AIE's prolonged absence, Kannur International Airport is staring down a massive revenue deficit, plunging it into unexpected financial woes and casting a long shadow over its ambitious development plans.

The impact reverberates far beyond the airport's balance sheets.

Passengers from the northern districts of Kerala, as well as parts of Karnataka like Kodagu and Mysuru, have historically relied on Kannur for their international travel. Many, especially those working in the Gulf, find themselves without direct, affordable options. The demand for these routes remains exceptionally high, yet AIE's silence on restarting services from Kannur forces these travelers to undertake arduous and costly journeys to other airports, adding to their already significant burdens.

The contrast with other airports is stark and undeniably frustrating.

While Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram benefit from AIE's full complement of Gulf services, Kannur appears to have been left in an unfortunate limbo. This perceived oversight or deliberate delay has fueled speculation and calls for immediate intervention, with many questioning the rationale behind such a selective operational strategy.

Is Kannur being unfairly neglected, or are there deeper, unstated reasons for this glaring disparity?

Currently, Kannur's international aviation landscape is a patchwork of domestic carriers like Indigo, GoFirst, Spicejet, and Vistara. While these airlines offer essential internal connectivity, they do little to alleviate the pressing need for direct Gulf flights.

The only potential lifeline appears to be through foreign carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Gulf Air, and Air Arabia. However, their ability to step in is severely constrained by existing bilateral agreements that limit the number of seats they can offer. A re-evaluation or loosening of these agreements could provide a much-needed interim solution, but this requires swift governmental action.

The ongoing absence of Air India Express’s Gulf operations is more than just an inconvenience; it's a serious impediment to Kannur Airport’s long-term viability and growth.

An airport, especially one as strategically located as Kannur, cannot thrive without robust international connectivity. The current situation not only impacts its immediate revenue but also dampens investor confidence and stifles the region's economic potential. Stakeholders and the public are now urgently calling on Air India Express and aviation authorities to address this critical issue, ensuring Kannur is no longer left grounded while its peers take flight.