Irate Gulf passengers protest at Karipur airport in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Passengers travelling to the Gulf staged a protest at the Karipur airport on Monday after being stranded as a result of a delayed flight. Irate passengers staged a sit-in at the airport to mark their protest against frequent cancellations and delays in flights operating to and from the Karipur airport.

The passengers, who were flying to Abu Dhabi, protested against the cancellation of on Monday's flight, pointing out that the authorities had made no alternative arrangements.

Passengers who reached the airport on Monday, after hours of delay, decided to display their dissatisfaction and staged a sit-in.

Gulf passengers and travel agencies have for long been calling for allowing all international airlines to operate out of Karipur airport but their pleas have had little effect so far.

They feel that additional airlines operating out of Karipur would be the ideal solution for the hardships presently being experienced by the passengers.

Applications by various foreign airlines seeking permission to operate from the airport are pending with the central government.

Neglect

Last month, a shutdown was observed in the Malabar region in north Kerala, to highlight the alleged neglect shown towards the Karipur airport by the authorities concerned.

Local users of the airport allege that the monopoly situation enjoyed by Air India and Indian have left the passengers from Karipur with fewer flying options compared to the other two airports in the state.