Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has announced that major changes aimed at the overall development of Kannur International Airport will be implemented within a year.
He made the announcement while inaugurating the newly launched International Air Cargo Complex and the 4-MW solar power project at the airport on Monday (September 28, 2026). The Chief Minister said the State government had taken decisions to transform airports in Keralam into aviation hubs that could contribute to the State’s economic growth and GDP.
He said efforts would be made to secure ‘Point of Call’ status for Kannur airport. At present, the airport faces limitations in operating international services due to the lack of this status. The government would work to find a solution to this issue, he added.
As part of developing the airport into an aviation hub, the government plans to start a pilot training centre in Kannur. The Chief Minister said airlines, including Air India, had ordered around 2,000 new aircraft and the country was expected to face a shortage of pilots when these aircraft entered service. He added that the airport development plan would also include a helicopter pilot training centre, aircraft maintenance facilities, and simulator training centres.
The Chief Minister also said that a consultancy service had already been started at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) as part of the plan to develop airports into aviation hubs. He added that CIAL, with 30 years of experience, had the expertise and human resources to build airports at lower costs. Through this consultancy service, CIAL received a project related to Durgapur airport within a month, he said.
Speaking about renewable energy, Mr. Satheesan said the lack of solar energy storage facilities in the State remained a major challenge. At present, solar power could mainly be used during the daytime, while excess electricity was supplied to the electricity board’s grid.
He said the government was considering setting up common battery storage facilities for government institutions and groups of households to address the issue. Further announcements in this regard are expected soon. Regarding the proposed second runway development, Mr. Satheesan said the suitability of the 240 acres of land notified for the project would be examined. He assured that a permanent solution to the problems faced by residents in connection with the land issue would be found within two months.
Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, MPs K. Sudhakaran and P. Santhosh Kumar, Kannur Corporation Mayor P. Indira, and other leaders and officials were present.
