No more acquisition for jumbo flights in Karippur, advisory committee says

Kondotty: Karipur Airport Advisory Committee meeting convened here concluded that there is no need for more land acquisitions at Karipur airport to resume the medium and jumbo aircraft services.

Chairman of the Committee, PK Kunjalikutty MP said that the officials had made it clear that there is no need for more acquisition of land for restarting the services. Retaining the status quo as of April 30 2015 is the main aim now. Authority's recommendation to resume Jeddah service is pending before Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). As of now, there is no hindrance that will block the implementation of the recommendation.

MPs will try to meet Central Aviation minister, Secretary, DGCA and others during the parliament session scheduled to start on 18th of this month. If needed, an audience with the Prime Minister also will be sought. MPs will put pressure in Delhi and parliament, Kunjalikkutty said.

Hajj services can be restarted once Jeddah services are permitted.

Advisory Committee Convenor and Airport Director K. Srinivasa Rao, MPs ET Mohammed Basheer, MK Raghavan, PV Abdul Vahab, MLAs TV Ibrahim, P. Abdul Hameed, former MLA K. Mohammed Unni Haji, Kondotty municipality chairman CK Nadikutti, Pallikkal Panchayat president P. Mithuna, advisory committee members TPM Hashir Ali, MKA Naseer, Ipe Thopas, Malappuram DySP Jaleel Thottathil, Dy. collector Dr. JO Arun, Airline Operators committee chairperson Anju Nair, Air India manager Raza Ali Khan, PV Gangadaran, PV Nithish and others spoke at the meeting. ATC Joint General Manager Mohammed Shahid paid vote of thanks.

Other Key decisions and suggestions:

• Special lounge will be started for business class travellers
• Toilets in the terminals will be renovated. Allotted Rs. 3 crore for this
• Start a Pre paid taxi counter operated by the police. . District Police Chief has accorded permission to deploy police staff for the purpose.
• Hall meant for Umrah travellers will be cleaned.
• Parking issue will be solved. Director informed that a special plan has beenchalked out for this. Municipality will charge fees from the vehicles parked outside.The request to allow space for Karippur Police inside the airport will be considered. After acquiring land, the police station will be shifted to the airport.
• The request to handover old Land Acquisition Office temporarily for the police will also be considered.Will take water from Cheekode drinking water project to Karippur airport. An additional pipe will be laid adjascent to the existing one, to pump water for the local people. An amount of Rs. 1 crore required for this will be allotted from Corporate Social Responsibility fund of the airport authority.A joint committee will visit places adjacent to Karippur airport -Kondotty and Pallikkal- where rainwater logging is a persisting problem during monsoon.
• Schedule and route of KSRTC Fly buses are to be reset.
• Roads around the airport will be renovated
• Pressure will be exerted on concerned authorities to restart Jeddah services.