Kozhikode: The Airport Authority of India is ready to conduct feasibility study on the demand for a new international greenfield airport in Kozhikode district if the Kerala government comes up with the proposal, a top AAI official said here.
"There is reasonable growth potential available even in the present airport. But always another airport, if possible, in the country is welcome," V P Agarwal, Chairman, Airport Authority of India, said.
"The call is to be taken by the state government whether they want it and how they want it. If the state government wants us to do the study, we will do the study," he said.
The existing Kozhikode International Airport at nearby Karripur, is a 'critical' airport, he said, adding that does not mean the airport is unsafe to operate. "By no standard, it is unsafe we are having sufficient protection for the safe operations at the Kozhikode airport," he said.
Kozhikode airport is presently operating at 2.2 million (passenger) capacity and comfortably could go upto 20 million. "There is reasonable growth potential," he said.
On demand for more connectivity with other states, Agarwal said, "On personal level I will definitely contact other low cost operators like SpiceJet and Indigo in this regard."
He was speaking at an interactive session on 'Calicut International airport-problems and solutions, organised by the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
E K Bharat Bhushan, Director General of Civil Aviation, said Kozhikode International Airport had recorded 24 percent increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year.
The development taking place at nearby airports including Kannur, Kochi or Mangalore will not affect that of the existing airport at Kozhikode. The aviation sector has been witnessing growth since 2004, drawing world attention, he said.
PTI
