kannur to Kolhapur IndiGo Flights

  About Kannur

God's Own Country, Kerala might be known for its beaches and for being evergreen. On the Malabar Coast of the state of Kerala is yet another quaint paradise going by the name Kannur. It's one of the most stunning places to explore in the state. The gorgeous city is a blend of cultures and architecture from the Portuguese, British, Dutch and Mysore Sultanate. St Angelo Fort, Kannur Lighthouse and the varied beaches make this a major tourist attraction. Not just beaches but you will also find spectacular hill stations in the city. It is also popular for hosting the Theyyam festival every year. The city has pristine beaches, backwaters and scenic hill stations. You have a lot of options to choose from depending on the kind of vacation you want.

Booking a flight to Kannur ahead of time will be convenient for you. The city does witness a lot of footfall, especially from passengers who have left for the Middle East and are returning to meet their families. Based on which locale you choose, you can also book a nice hotel room in Kannur. Despite being excessively developed, most of the cities in Kerala continue to stay true to their roots and nature. Hence, the city will have more green expanse and fewer tall buildings. You might not see the most extravagant hotels in Kannur. However, you will definitely find some decent rooms with great views.

Best Time to Visit Kannur

Kannur is a coastal city and has a tropical climate. October to February is considered to be the most ideal time to visit Kannur. Though a lot of tourists prefer to visit the city during winter, monsoon promises lush green hills and a panoramic overview of the city from a hilltop. You might want to carry umbrellas and mosquito repellents with you.

October to February is winter in Kannur and is also one of the best times to visit the city. Take a walk on the secluded beaches and soak in the view. The temperature ranges from 14 to 25 degree Celsius, which is neither too hot nor too cold. Since this is peak season, you might get decent flight deals to Kannur. Make sure you book a hotel in Kannur that is either close to the beach or near the backwaters. You will be amazed at the view from your rooms.

Monsoon starts from June and lasts till August. While other beach towns in Kerala are not visited a lot during these months, Kannur still sees tourists during this season. Since it is also off-season, getting cheap flight tickets to Kannur will be easier. Not to mention, you won't see a lot of tourists on the streets. You will enjoy the solitude that you desire on vacations.

While monsoon is still bearable, summer is not the best time to visit Kannur. The temperature rises to 36 degree Celsius in May and makes you want to spend all your day indoors. March to May is when the city experiences summer. While the evenings are quite pleasant and you can enjoy your time at the beach, afternoons can be rough.

Places to Visit in Kannur

When in Kannur, who have got to check out the Payyambalam Beach, which is one of the five beaches that form the Kannur beach. The secluded beach is apt for you to just relax with your family and soak in the view of the waves. You can also indulge in water sports that are offered at this beach. The Muzhappilangad beach is one of the longest drive-in beaches in Asia. If you visit the beach in April, you might even get to celebrate the beach festival here. It is also known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Kannur. The Baby Beach is a tiny beach on the shore of the Arabian sea. Its fame comes from the fact that it is ideal for a fun family picnic by the sea.

St Angelo's Fort is a popular destination in Kannur for all the right reasons. The fort was built right by the Arabian Sea, and the view of the sea from up here will leave you awestruck. Don't forget to visit Kannur Lighthouse. It is Kerala's first-ever lighthouse, and you'll certainly enjoy the view from here. It's one of the best places for all you water babies to be. Palakkayam Thattu is a hill station in Kannur that you must visit. The view is breathtaking, and it is also one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is another place you must visit in Kannur. You will find a lot of exotic animals in the sanctuary, and it is also one of the best places to take pictures. You will also learn a lot about exotic animals.

Things to do in Kannur

Attend the Theyyam festival. Theyyam is a dance festival that is celebrated with a lot of grandiose in Kannur, along with other parts of Kerala. Artists perform Kaliyattam, and it's a treat to the eyes and ears. Indulge in water sports if you are a beach baby. Winter and summer evenings are the best times to indulge in water sports. You can either opt for the Banana Boat ride at Payyambalam beach or go surfing.

Go on a trek to Paithalmala; a hill station with a view that takes your breath away. You will find a lot of trekking packages, you can choose whichever is convenient for you. In fact, since there are a lot of hill stations in Kannur, you can either pick an easy trek or a challenging one. Trekking during monsoon can be quite challenging but make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Trekking up the hills in Kannur is surely a rewarding experience. Go shopping for local handicrafts or sarees. Invest your time in buying souvenirs for your loved ones. If you love seafood, Kerala is the right place for you to be. Of course, you cannot make a trip to the South of India and not have payasam. Indulge in the special delicacies that the city has to offer, too.

You can also spend an evening boating at the backwaters and soak in the beautiful view. Book a hotel in Kannur overlooking the backwaters, and you can wake up to the scenic view of the water. Go beach hopping over the weekend, and you will not regret it one bit. Pick the right season to visit Kannur and beach hopping will rejuvenate you for sure. If you are not a water baby, you can choose the hill stations. Looking at the city from the up top will be quite overwhelming and enchanting.

Food and Restaurants in Kannur

There are a lot of food joints in Kannur, and you'll find all sorts of food joints since it is a popular tourist destination. Do also try and take back home Kerala's famous banana chips. Idli, Vada, mango-lemon chutney, papaddam are just a few specialities of Kerala. Wheat House is a popular restaurant where you will find authentic Keralan food and the right ambience. Baker Boys is yet another restaurant that offers the best snacks with refreshing chai.

Hotel Odhens is popular for its fish curry and a very popular joint in Kannur, too. Sahib's Grill Kitchen is yet another place that will satiate your hunger pangs. It is known for its non-vegetarian food and friendly staff. Head over to Indian Coffee House for authentic filter coffee and some delicious dosas. Cool Land is a restaurant that serves the best biryanis in Kannur. It is quite popular among locals, too.

How to reach Kannur (Transportation)

By Air

Kannur International Airport, which is approximately 25 km away from the main city, became functional a couple of years back. Calicut International Airport in Kozhikode is also the next nearest airport to reach Kannur, approximately 128 km away. The flight connectivity to Kannur from Kozhikode is excellent. Flights from Kannur to other major cities in the country run quite frequently. You can book your flight tickets to Kannur depending on whatever is a convenient way for you to travel once you land. You will easily get taxis and buses from the airport that will drop you to the station.

By Rail

Kannur is well-connected with the other states in the country. Domestic routes from Kannur connect to Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Mangalore and a lot of other places. Trains like Nizamuddin Express, Madgaon Express, New Delhi AC Express and a couple of other trains pass through Kannur.

By Road

There are a lot of buses that run from major cities to Kannur. Though road travel can be quite time consuming, it is one of the best ways to travel since the view is magical. However, if it is a long journey that you have to cover, make sure you pick between trains and flights. Getting a train ticket at the last moment can be quite the task so book your tickets in advance.

  About Kolhapur

Kolhapur is one of the top cities in the state Maharashtra. The city is known for its chappals and spices. In fact, thanks to the originality and impeccable quality of some of the products such as chappals, lavangi Mirchi, jaggery and cuisine, they are all recognised as Kolhapuri. The city is well-connected with Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. People from Mumbai and Pune often take road trips to Kolhapur to enjoy the cool weather and spicy food.

The city does not have a dedicated airport for commercial purpose. As the flight connectivity from Kolhapur is non-existent, people opt for roadways as a means to reach the city. Besides, National Highway 4, which connects to Kolhapur, is so beautiful that a drive to the city would be a fun trip.

Best time to visit Kolhapur

Much like the rest of Maharashtra, Kolhapur is also quite arid with a hot summer season. However, the city experiences pleasant winters and monsoon thanks to the proximity it shares with the Western Ghats. Despite the humidity being in the air, the city makes for a good escape from the other scorching places of the state. The months November to February are considered to be the best time to visit Kolhapur as the temperatures drop to 14 degrees Celsius. You can book a hotel in Kolhapur for winter and enjoy the cold weather. Although there are not many luxury hotels in the city, you can still find some decent places to stay.

Places to visit in Kolhapur

Panhala Fort

The famous Panhala Fort built by Raja Bhoka II is a must-visit in Kolhapur. The strategic location of the fortress built in 1209 has had quite a lot of historical significance for being involved in some of the significant skirmishes between rulers of ancient times. The fort fell under the leadership of several celebrated rulers from the Marathas to the Mughals to the Britishers. With such strong backstories and some of its structures intact, the Panhala Fort easily becomes one of the best attractions of Kolhapur.

Jyotiba Temple

The Jyotiba Temple is located a little away from Kolhapur but is definitely worth the visit. Constructed in 1730, the temple is said to have strong religious significance as Jyotiba is believed to be an incarnation of the Hindu God Shiva. Jyotiba's role in Goddess Mahalaxmi's battle against the demon Ratnasur is a known mythological tale. The temple was erected to worship the deity and continues to see many devotees.

Binkambi Ganesh Temple

Lord Ganesh is the most venerated deities worshipped by the Maharashtrians. The Binkhambi Ganesh Temple, located just 1 km away from the Mahalakshmi Temple, is believed to have been discovered by the villagers. The temple's walls have beautiful designs, but what makes the temple a tourist attraction is because of the lack of pillars. The entire temple has been built without any pillars. Hence, the name Binkhambi has been given to the temple.

Kopeshwar Temple

The enthralling site of Kopeshwar Temple is dated to 12th century, built under the ruler of the Shilahara dynasty. The temple's structure is an architectural bliss as there are sculptures on pillars and walls. Made to honour Lord Shiva, the temple premise also has an idol of Lord Vishnu. The majestic structure is undoubtedly one of the best temples in Kolhapur. It is especially intriguing from an architectural point of view and should definitely be visited.

Maharaja's Palace

The Maharaja Palace, located in the same vicinity of the Chatrapathi Museum, is a quaint grey structure that was built in the 19th century. The palace is home to the current King of Kolhapur, who resides on the first floor of the palace.

Chatrapathi Shahu Museum

Chatrapathi Shahu Museum is touted to be one of the oldest museums in India. Founded back in 1883, the museum's attractions include the sculptures, artefacts from the wars, weaponry, jewellery and garments from the various empires that ruled the city and more. It would be quite the educational tour for you as you will get to learn more about the Maratha empire.

Mahalaxmi Temple

The most popular tourist destination in Kolhapur is the Mahalaxmi Temple, located within the city. Devotees from various corners of the country are said to visit the city to seek blessings of the goddess of wealth. The deity is adorned with exquisite jewellery with diamonds and other precious stones. The temple presence dates back to the 7th century when Karandev of the Chalukya dynasty ruled the city. With stunning architecture and Hemadpanthi sculpture-styles incorporated to construct the temple, the premise easily manages to receive gasps for being an architectural delight. The temple walls also have sculptures of Hindu deities Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha, to name a few.

Things to do in Kolhapur

The landlocked city of Kolhapur might have many temples and historical places to explore. However, there are some fun things to do, as well. One of the best places you can visit to soak in the bliss of an environmentally blessed environment is Rankala Lake. It is said to be one of the most popular sites visited by tourists. The hangout is maintained well with neat seating areas and walkways. Plus, the area is surrounded by lovely green spaces of gardens. It might seem like a crowded place, but even in the noise, you will find solace as there is a space reserved for the same. Called the Rankala silence Zone, you are not allowed to make a sound, which only helps with the purpose of finding peace and tranquillity.

You can always find time to visit the Shivaji Market. Kolhapuri chappals are a rage in the country, and you can get your hands on some of the authentic Kolhapuris. If you are enthusiastic about wildlife, then you must pay a visit to the Kolhapur zoo, which is located very close to the New Palace Lake. The place has exquisite migratory birds including peacocks, emus and flamingos.

Food and Restaurants in Kolhapur

Kolhapuris are not too modest when it comes to spices in their food. They love to spice things up, and by this, we mean quite literally. From their take on non-vegetarian food to the famous, Kolhapuri misal, the city's food culture is definitely worth exploring. While it may take a strong gut to stomach all the spices that Kolhapur has to offer, it definitely is worth all the tears!

The city's famous dish misal, has far too many joints to pick from. However, it is not surprising since even the locals love to indulge in some evening misal pav rendezvous. You can visit Bawada Misal, which has had various celebrities visit the restaurant. Other popular misal joints include Fadatare Misal and Chorage Misal. There are various cafes too in the city that should be explored such as Datta Cage, The Oven, Milano's, Khembraj Bakery and more. The city's love for spice is visible in the meat they eat too. There are many non-vegetarian hotels in the city such as Hotel Meghdoot, Hotel Opel, Hotel Victor Palace and more. The food here is heavenly, and even though the spices might make you cry, your soul will scream with joy!

How to reach Kolhapur (Transportation)

By Air

Kolhapur does have an airport going by the same name. However, the airport is currently not operational for commercial use. Hence, often people choose to go to airports that are close to Kolhapur. The nearest airports to Kolhapur are Belgaum Airport and Pune Airport. These two airports are fairly connected with major cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and more. Kolhapur airport is located in Ujlaiwadi, which is close to the city. Works to turn it into a civil airport is underway. Aside from Pune and Belgaum, people also opt to reach Goa Airport or Mumbai Airport and take roadways to reach Kolhapur.

By Rail

Kolhapur Railway Station is located a little away from the city centre. Although it is only 5 km away from the main city, the connectivity to important cities in India from Kolhapur is quite good. There are dedicated trains from cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Tirupati, Pune and Satara. South-bound trains going to Karnataka, Goa and Kerala also stop at the Kolhapur railway station. Since Kolhapur falls on the domestic route to cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Goa and more, the connectivity by railway is quite convenient. From the railway station, there are a plethora of transportation options such as rickshaws and buses that can be taken to reach Kolhapur's main city area.

By Road

To reach Kolhapur, National Highway 4 is the best choice. NH4's domestic route connects Kolhapur to Mumbai and Bangalore. In fact, the highway is also known as the Mumbai-Bangalore highway since it connects the two big cities. NH4 has recently been spruced up, making road trips easier. The highway has not just been enhanced in terms of aesthetics but is also well-maintained. This has enabled less traffic on the highway and a drop in the estimated travel time. A slew of bus services, both government-based and private, have services for Kolhapur. In fact, many buses going to Bangalore or returning to Mumbai from Bangalore pass through Kolhapur.

  About Indigo Airlines

Indigo is the largest passenger airline in India and the oldest one, too, in terms of passengers that it carries and its fleet size. It operates about 1500 flights every day to 87 destinations, of which 63 are domestic, and 24 are international destinations. Its primary hub is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Indigo commenced operations in 2006 and went on to become the largest India carrier by passenger market share in 2012. It connects to all major Indian cities and small cities like Aizawl, Agra and so on. Internationally, it connects to Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Malta, Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Zurich, Prague, Amsterdam, London, London Heathrow and Gatwick among others. Not only is it a low-cost operator in India, but it is also a low-cost airline globally. Indigo is also India's most preferred airline and for the right reasons. It offers great service at low fares and does not disappoint its passengers. It has grown to become one of the most trusted airlines in the country.

Indigo has a fleet size of more than 260 and has also been getting the 'Great Place to Work for in India' title for eight years in a row now. It was also given Aon's Best Employer in 2016 and 2017. It has been running profitable operations for ten consecutive years. It is considered as the most valuable and strongest airline brand in the country. In 2010, Indigo had replaced Air India as the third largest airline in India. In 2013, it became the second fastest-growing low-cost carrier in Asia after Lion Air, an Indonesian airline.

One of the specialities of Indigo is that it is customer-oriented, efficient and offers great services. It also offers low fares, which makes it one of the preferred airlines in the country. It is also one of the only airlines that connect to so many cities across the country. It operates to cities like Agartala, Aizawl, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Belagavi, Aurangabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Dimapur and the list goes on. Since Indigo is a low-cost carrier, it only offers economy class seating. However, you get to choose a seat of your preference in advance if you pay a little extra. There is no in-flight entertainment or pre-booked meals. You can buy your in-flight meals after the take-off, and you will be dependent on your own electronics and headsets to keep yourself entertained during the flight.

Fleet Size of Indigo

Indigo has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the country, which enables it to run 1500 flights daily. It has 123 Airbus A320-200 in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 100 Airbus A320neo in service and ordered for 232 more, making it the largest operator. In addition to this, it has 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft in service that can accommodate 222 passengers each and has placed an order for 135 more aircraft of the same category. It also has 25 ATR 72-600 which can seat 74 passengers per flight.

In 2005, Indigo had placed an order for 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and commenced operations in 2006. In 2011, it placed an order for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft. It was a great year for the airline since it also got the permission to launch international flights that year. In 2015, it placed an order for 250 Airbus A320neo, which was the largest single order in Airbus' history. It made headlines quickly. In 2019, it placed another order for 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft and broke its own record. Later that year, it became the first Indian airline to operate 1500 flights daily. It also became the first airline to have a fleet size of 250+ aircraft. The Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320-200 have non-reclining seats, but there are a few seats that give you extra legroom. The ATR 72-600 has a twin-seat setting which not only gives you extra space but also gives you a lot of privacy. You won't have to sit next to a third stranger or sit uncomfortably.

Baggage Allowance

Indigo has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger is expected to follow. You can carry cabin baggage that weighs up to 7 kg and check-in luggage up to 20 kg. However, for certain international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo, Kuwait and so on, the maximum limit on check-in luggage is 30 kg. If your luggage exceeds the maximum limit, you will have to pay a certain fee depending on the weight. You will also need to inform the airline staff a couple of hours before boarding the flight about the excess luggage so they can make the necessary arrangements. You can do so through the website or get in touch with the call centre. An executive will help you complete the process without any hindrance or complications. It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you can sail through all the formalities at the airport smoothly.

If you are carrying bigger bags with you that have golf clubs or surfboard bags, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 1200 /- for domestic and Rs. 2500/- for international trips to accommodate it in the check-in luggage. Please ensure that you carry important things like medicines, electronics or perishable items in your cabin luggage. Portable chargers and power banks go in your hand luggage and not the check-in luggage. You will not have to check-in again to collect your bags if you have to board a connecting flight. The airline makes sure that you receive your baggage at your final destination. Please ensure that you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, hazardous or flammable objects, sharp objects and electronics. You will also have to reach the airport a couple of hours before your flight so you can get through the security formalities well in advance.

In-flight Services

Indigo's in-flight services are quite limited. In fact, the airline does not have any in-flight entertainment services. Since it operates on low fares, it does not provide complimentary meals on any of its flights. However, you can buy meals on board. The airline does offer premium services like pre-booking seats, priority check-in and multiple cancellations at a higher price. You can also get your hands on Indigo's magazine called Hello 6E. With the increasing competition and passenger's will to pay extra for comfort and convenience, the airline is also bringing in new offers and services for its passengers. The airline had also announced its tie-up with SonyLiv in 2019 that it will provide to its passengers as in-flight entertainment. You can also check out their website to find out more services that are offered by the airline.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Indigo

Indigo connects to various domestic and international routes regularly. Indigo connects to 63 domestic destinations and 24 international ones. It got the permission to expand its operations internationally in 2011. The domestic cities that Indigo is connected to are Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Agra, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and so on. The international destinations include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, London and so on. The airline is quite particular about punctuality, and there are rarely any delays in flights unless there is an emergency or bad climatic conditions. You can also lookup offers and services on their website to make sure you make the most of your trip. Since the airline has already ordered more aircraft, there are high chances that they will add more cities to the list. Indigo will definitely go on to breaking more records and even making some in the next few years.

Why Travel by Indigo?

Indigo is one of the most prestigious and low fare airlines in the country. It made its way to the top airlines in the country quite quickly and made sure that passengers experienced the best services at a minimal price. It is also one of the largest airlines in the country that operates 1500 flights to domestic and international routes daily. It connects 24 international and 63 domestic destinations. It has its major hubs at Chennai International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can check the Indigo flight schedule and your flight status on their website. The airline also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The airline has also won several awards and accolades for its service over the years. Customers rarely have a disappointing experience flying with Indigo. If you are a frequent flyer, you might even get discounts and other offers while booking your next flight. Make sure you go through the offers on the airline's website. You can also get in touch with an executive at the call centre to know more about the offers.

  About Kannur Airport

Kannur International Airport is an international airport that caters to the district of Kannur in the northern regions of the state of Kerala. The area of the airport is about 2,300 acres and is situated 28 km at the east of Kannur town. The airport came into existence in 2018 and has already managed to accommodate enough domestic and international airline operations. It has been speculated by the airport authorities that the airport's passenger traffic would increase five-fold by the year 2025. Originally, Kannur just had an airstrip that was predominantly used for commercial aviation purposes in 1935. There was just one weekly operation of flights between Bombay and Trivandrum chartered by TATA airlines with stops at Goa and Cannanore.

In 1997, under the authority of the then union minister of civil aviation CM Ibrahim, the blueprints for an airport was conceptualized along with a proposal for an airport in the Kannur district. However, the project was stalled as the land sanctions took about a decade. Not to mention once the sanction was accorded in 2008, the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation announced that the land chosen for the airport wasn't feasible. Eventually, the original plots were dropped, and two new sites were proposed for the airport's construction. Eventually, land acquisition commenced as the compensation for the land were fixed in 2008. The foundation stone was laid in 2010 and construction for the new airport was followed soon. Flight operations at Kannur International Airport finally kickstarted in 2018 with the first flight being an Air India Express IX 715 (Boeing 737-800 aircraft) to Abu Dhabi.

About Kannur Airport Terminal

The airport plans to accommodate an integrated passenger terminal that would cater to both domestic and international travellers. The floor area of the terminal is spread across 1,040,000 sq ft for departure and arrival, respectively. The terminal is set to accommodate about 2,000 passengers at peak hours thanks to its unique swing facility. The integrated terminal also features a plethora of modern facilities such as six aerobridges along with 46 check-in counters, 16 customs counters, 32 immigration counters and four conveyor belts for baggage. The airport plans to utilize the international gates for domestic operations during times of no international flights. The terminal building has been constructed with a double skin aluminium roofing system and also has efficient LED lighting, which makes it a building that follows environmental perks.

Kannur International Airport has only one runway which permits an obstacle-free approach for flights and cargo activities. The runway is set to have simple lightings installed soon. Full-length parallel taxiway and apron to accommodate 20 wide-body aircraft to park are also set to be installed as part of their expansion plans. A 300 metres long and 90 metres wide runway end safety area is being installed at both ends of the runway. The idea behind constructing the same is to avoid and alleviate the risk of casualties that could crop up to the aircraft due to undershooting, excursion or overshoot from the runway. A plethora of ground support equipment is also being made available to cater to the aircraft amid flights. Some of the services include chocks, dollies, aircraft refuelers, catering vehicles, belt loaders and aircraft service stairs.

Kannur International Airport also accommodates a fuel farm as well as an MRO facility (maintenance, repair and overhaul). A special air enclave is also being reserved for the Indian Navy. It would cater to the Ezhimala Naval Academy, which is about 60 kilometres away from the Kannur International Airport.

About airport authority

The state owns Kannur International Airport while a public, private partnership platform undertakes the operations. A public-private consortium owns it. After Cochin International Airport, Kannur International Airport is second greenfield airport in the state of Kerala that follows a public, private partnership. In terms of operations, the airport is currently managed by Kannur International Airport Ltd. (KIAL) which is a public company. Former chief of Air India, V Thulasidas IAS, is the present Managing Director of Kannur International Airport Ltd. Pinarayi Vijayan, the current chief minister of Kerala, also plays a pivotal role in the management structure of the airport as he holds the position of chairman.

The government of Kerala also holds a stake in the airport as it is the principal investor with a whopping 32.86 per cent of shares in the venture. Other shareholders in KIAL include 22.54 per cent invested by State and Central Public Sector Undertakings, 9.39 per cent shares owned by Airports Authority of India and a whopping 35.21 per cent by others (individuals, cooperatives, societies, banks, companies, basically all legal entities that have been approved by the Board of Directors.

Facilities at the Kannur Airport

Medical room – Every airport is required to have medical rooms and professionals to deal with medical emergencies. Kannur International Airport has also installed a medical room to cater to the same needs. There are medical professionals present in the airport vicinity at all times.

Baby care rooms – For travellers who are travelling with infants, the airport has reserved specific rooms that pertain to baby care. These rooms have immaculate facilities and are baby-proofed too. The rooms offer privacy to the mother and the infant for breastfeeding and changing of diapers. Plus, there are baby products also available in the room.

Foreign exchange counters – The airport witnesses a lot of activities from international flights as it caters to several Middle Eastern cities. Hence, there are specific foreign exchange counters that have been installed in the arrivals section of the international terminal. One can easily get the currencies exchanged, that too at a decent rate. In case you are not able to find the currency exchange booths, you can ask for help from any of the professionals at the airport premise. Also, money transfers can be done at the exchange counters.

Baggage – As an international airport, there are various top-notch baggage facilities made available. They have baggage wrapping services for passengers who are carrying fragile items or are travelling to an international destination. The baggage is wrapped in plastic to avoid mishandling and theft of the contents of the luggage. Trolleys are also made available at the departures and arrivals section of its terminal.

ATMs – The airport offers ATM kiosks at specific junctions for passengers to make cash withdrawals. In case you have trouble finding the same, you can approach the information desk or any airport personnel to help you out.

Lounge - Kannur International Airport has two lounges, one in the domestic and international terminals, respectively. Called the Pearl Lounge, the two lounge services can be availed by all passengers. While the pass holders need not spend any money to avail services of the lounge, others will be required to be a specific tariff to hang out at the lounge. Details of the same can be found on the official website of the airport as well as the information desk at the airport premise.

WiFi - In three easy steps, you can connect to the WiFi network of Kannur International Airport. The system would require your name and local mobile number to grant access. Once the OTP has been shared, the passenger can avail free WiFi services for the first 15 minutes. Following the 15 minutes, though, they will need to decide whether they wish to pay for a temporary top-up plan or if they are done with the services.

Top airlines flying from the Kannur Airport

As the airport had only opened in 2018, there are only a handful of airlines that operate from Kannur International Airport. Domestic airlines such as Air India, GoAir and IndiGo operate from the airport. Kannur International Airport also caters to international destinations, mainly the Middle East cities. International airline Air India Express also operates from Kannur International Airport. Major cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Hubli and Chennai, are well-connected with the airport. Some of the big Middle-Eastern cities connected to Kannur International Airport include Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Riyadh and Dubai, to name a few.

How to reach Kannur Airport

Kannur International Airport is well-connected with various districts in the state. The nearest city to the airport is Mattannur which is only 5 km away. The small town has bus services that will reach you to the Kannur International Airport. KSRTC offers services to districts such as Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram. Pre-paid taxi cabs are also available that can be found within the city to reach Kannur International Airport. The fares are usually decided ahead of the journey to ensure that the passengers are not overcharged. You can opt for autorickshaw services also at the airport from Mattanur and other districts. Again, the best way to reach the Kannur International Airport by rickshaw would be to fix a fare beforehand. The closest railway stations to Kannur International Airport are Thalassery and Kannur which are at 25 km and 27 km away, respectively. You can take rickshaws or taxi cabs to reach Kannur International Airport from the railway stations.