Karippur: In spite of the start of Kannur International Airport, Karipur registered an increase in passenger traffic in financial year 2018-19. It was assumed that the commissioning of Kannur airport would lead to a loss of 3 lakh International passengers in Karipur. But the fact is an increase of 4.55 per cent. At the same time Manglore airport marked a dent in its passenger traffic.
The total number of passengers who travelled through Karipur from April 2018 to March 2019 is 33,60,854. This reflects a growth of 7.05 per cent. Of this, 27,48,275 are international passengers. The domestic passengers in 2017-18 stood at 5,10,972 which increased to 6,12,579 which is an increase of 19.88 per cent.
All the same, the rate of increase in total number of passengers was lower this year, at 7.05 per cent. In 2017-18 this was 18.4 per cent and in 2016-17 15 per cent. However, freight transportation registered a fall of of 12.9 per cent. Cargo transported through Karipur was 17,273 tons last year which decreased to 15,053 this year.
The devastating flood and the restrictions in imports to Saudi Arabia during the Nipah days are the reasons for this decrease.
International cargo movement was 11.6 per cent lower this year, i.e. 14,499 tons. Domestic cargo also went by by 36.4 per cent from last year.