Calicut airport set to miss wide-body Haj flights again
Calicut International Airport will likely be unable to host wide-body aircraft for the 2027 Haj pilgrimage due to ongoing runway safety construction. Consequently, pilgrims from the region will need to use airports in Kochi or Kannur, which may result in higher travel costs.
Why it matters
Infrastructure delays at regional airports directly impact the accessibility and affordability of religious travel for thousands of citizens.
The Calicut International Airport is likely to miss wide-body aircraft for Haj flights for the coming season too. Pilgrims from Malappuram and Kozhikode may again have to depend on Kochi and Kannur.
The 2027 Haj flight tender does not include wide-body aircraft for the Calicut airport. The reason is the delay in completing work to extend the runway-end safety area (RESA).
The work is expected to be completed before April next. But the Haj flight tender process has to be completed well in advance. So, only smaller aircraft have been included for the airport.
Haj flight operations under the Central Haj Committee will begin on April 8. Airlines have been invited to bid for transporting 1.23 lakh pilgrims from India to Saudi Arabia by May 9. Services will operate from 19 embarkation points, including Calicut, Kochi, and Kannur.
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