Abu Dhabi: Expatriates from Kerala who travelled to and from Kannur International Airport on its opening day on Sunday, did everything to make it a grand celebration.
They said it was a dream that came true after so many years of waiting, which would bring their hometowns and the UAE closer.
A group of 48 people from Dubai put on specially made clothes, caps and shawls to celebrate their maiden trip on an Air India Express flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport, which departed at 2.04pm with 150 passengers.
The airline also organised a special function at the airport to greet the passengers, said P.A, Uma Devi, airport manager for Air India and Air India Express in Abu Dhabi.
She said the maiden flight from Kannur arrived at 12.34pm with 179 passengers who were accorded a warm welcome.
The airline operates three flights a week from Abu Dhabi to Kannur.
Nikesh Ram, 42, a businessman in Dubai, said it felt like a festival for him, his relatives and friends who were flying to Kannur.
“I can save 4.5 hours now while travelling to and from my home,” said Ram, convener, overseas wing of North Malabar Chamber of Commerce (NMCCC).
He said hundreds of thousands of people from northern districts of Kasargode, Kannur, Wayanad and a part of Kozhikode will benefit from the airport.
Sajith K.P. Nair, 44, another member of NMCC, also said he would be saving four hours to reach his home. The airport will open up many development opportunities for local people, he said.
“We have been lobbying it for so many years,” said Nair, an expat for 26 years in the UAE.
Hari Krishnan, 40, a businessman, said he can save five hours while travelling home.
He said he hoped that the government would establish economic free zones, IT hubs etc. along with the airport to generate more revenue.
“Revenue from passenger traffic alone will not be enough to sustain an airport. Anyway the airport will support tourism in Northern Kerala, especially in Koorg [Karnatataka]and Wayanad, [the neighboring districts] ” said Krishnan.
Sarith Kandasseryparayil, a UAE resident for 18 years, said the airport would help increase the number of domestic air passengers in Kerala.
“When I travel in north India I have noticed that even low-income people travel on domestic flights,” he said, adding the connectivity offered by the new airport may attract new passengers to domestic flights.
Lasith Kayakkal, 41, an Ajman resident for 20 years, suggested the authorities should establish a convention centre to host conferences and exhibitions in the vicinity of the airport.
He said the airport will definetly help the traditional handloom textile sector in Kannur, by offering export opportunities.
