Thiruvananthapuram to kannur Flights

  About Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, popularly called Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala and a very popular tourist destination in the state, too. While the city does have quite the urban and modern setup, it has also maintained its old charm and colonial legacy. Trivandrum has quite a lot of museums, beaches, palaces and temples. The Kovalam and Varkala beaches are some of the most popular tourist spots that are close by. The city's history and culture will leave you fascinated. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Napier Museum are some of the popular tourist spots within the city. Not to mention, you will also be treated to some lip-smacking food that are specialities in Kerala.

Best Time to Visit Thiruvananthapuram

It is not surprising that monsoons in Kerala are the most beautiful to experience. It only adds to the lush greenery around the city. But it is the winter that makes Trivandrum an ideal time to visit. October to February is considered to be the best time to plan a vacation to Trivandrum. The temperature drops down to 15 degree Celsius during winter, especially in January and February. Make sure you book a hotel in Trivandrum that has a view of the hills. Though it might be a tad bit expensive since it is peak season, it will be worth it. You will also get to indulge in a lot of outdoor activities and adventurous ones during this season, as compared to the other seasons and you will also come across decent flight deals to Trivandrum online.

July to September is when the city experiences monsoon, which also leads to extreme humidity. The city witnesses heavy rainfall in the months of June, July and August. However, the downpour does reduce from August. Despite the torrential rain, the city does see a lot of tourists since the famous Onam festival also falls during this time. This also might be a great time for you to get cheap flight tickets to Trivandrum.

Summer begins from March in Trivandrum and lasts till June. The temperature reaches up to 35 degree Celsius during summer, and the weather does not make it favourable for you to plan a trip during this season. All of your sightseeing and outdoor activity plans will be affected, thanks to the humidity and scorching heat. Though you can go to the beach and chill, there won't be a lot of other options to try out.

Places to Visit in Thiruvananthapuram

Trivandrum's Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. The temple is only open to Hindus and dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, who is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple sees a lot of pilgrims and devotees throughout the year. The Karikkakom Chamundi Devi temple is another one that you must visit. It is 7 km away from the Padmanabhaswamy temple and dedicated to Goddess Chamundi. The Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary are another one of the major tourist spots in the city. It is popular for its Deer and Lion safari. You will also find crocodiles and elephants in the sanctuary. You will have to pay a nominal fee to enter the sanctuary and a separate fee for the safari. You can also go boating at the Neyyar Dam. You can also go fishing here.

For the adventure lovers, there is the Academy of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports. Whether it is Scuba Diving that you want to attempt or skydiving, the academy offers a lot of adventure sports for you to try out and they also make sure that the equipment used is state-of-the-art. The Kanakakunnu Palace is a popular site to visit. It was built under the rule of Travancore King and is also close to the Napier Museum. The palace now hosts a lot of cultural programs on its premises and make sure you catch one if there is any hosted during your visit. Vizhinjam Lighthouse, at Kovalam beach, is a 45-year-old lighthouse that is a major attraction here. The view from the top of the lighthouse is breathtaking and will leave you awestruck. You can also visit the Varkala beach, which is close to Trivandrum. You can, in fact, book a hotel in Trivandrum that is close to the Varkala Beach.

Things to do in Thiruvananthapuram

Go sightseeing to the famous museums in the city. You can either hire a cab for the entire day to visit the major tourist spots or use the public transport to do so. Don't forget to stop by the Indian Coffee House for some authentic filter coffee. Kerala is called God's Own Country for a reason. Explore the temples here along with enjoying the beautiful scenery. If you are planning to visit the beaches, make a day of it and take up a few water activities by the beach, too. You will also find a lot of food stalls and restaurants near the beaches that serve Kerala's best street food. Take up boating or fishing at the Neyyar Dam while you soak in the stunning view. If you want to explore nature at its best, there are a lot of tour guides and companies that host camping and trekking activities in and around the city.

While you are at it, you can also try activities like paragliding, skydiving, scuba diving and rafting at the Academy of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports. Catch the sunset from the Vizhinjam lighthouse. It will certainly be a fulfilling experience. If you are in the mood for going on a shopping spree, visit the Chalai Market. It's one of the busiest markets in the city, and you will get everything that you desire. Ayurvedic massages are a speciality in Kerala, and you will feel absolutely rejuvenated. Head to the Ayushmanbhava Ayurvedic Centre for a healing massage. If you don't feel like taking up an activity and just lying around the whole day, you can do so at the beach. Lying on the beach, under the stars and near the waves of the ocean is the most relaxing thing to do.

Food and Restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram

Apart from the panoramic landscape that Kerala has to offer, it is also known for its cuisine. From spicy seafood to desserts, you'll love everything about the food in Kerala. It is known for its delicacies that are made of or with coconut. The tapioca chips that you get here are fried in coconut oil. Almost every tourist packs a few of these to take back home. Make sure you also try the Sarkara Upperi, which is basically banana chips that are coated in jaggery. You will come across a lot of stalls that sell this, especially during Vishu. The Appam and stew combo that you get in Kerala is also quite popular. You must definitely try this combo for breakfast. You can either opt for a sweet appam or a savoury one. If you have additional time on your hands, do head to Kozhikode or Thalassery to try the Malabari biryani. It's only 70 km away from Trivandrum. Your food experience in Kerala is incomplete without Sadya. It's usually served during weddings or festivals on a banana leaf.

Ananda Bhavan is a very popular restaurant franchise down South, and this one will also not disappoint. If you are in Kerala on your honeymoon, make sure you go to Curry Chatty. The food and the ambience complement each other perfectly. They also have an intimate setting for couples to enjoy a romantic evening. Jasmine Bay, at Vivanta Hotel by Taj, is open 24 hours and has a plethora of cuisine options You can also try the street food at popular tourist spots here. The rice here is quite unique, but you won't regret trying it out.

How to reach Trivandrum

By Air

Trivandrum is a coastal city and a beautiful one at that, too. Trivandrum airport has both domestic and international ports, since it is the capital of the state. It is 4 km away from the city and is also near Kovalam beach. You will be treated to a beautiful view of the sea as you land. The flight connectivity to and from Trivandrum is excellent. There are frequent flights from Trivandrum to other cities in the country and internationally. Connecting flights from Bangalore and Chennai are some of the popular routes to Trivandrum via air.

By Rail

Trivandrum is also well-connected by rail, and the Trivandrum Central railway station is one of the largest stations in India. It is also one of the cheapest ways to reach the city. The Netravati Express, Anantapur Express and Sabari Express are some of the trains that start from and stop at the city.

By Road

The city is also connected really well by road. You can either take the public transport or a private one to reach the city. You will get buses from Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Kochi quite easily. The transport system within the city is also quite convenient. You can easily ditch the luxurious ways of travel to use the public transport here

  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 Trivandrum Airport

Trivandrum International Airport serves as the international airport to Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala. The airport came into existence in 1932 and has been recorded as the first airport of the state. It is also acknowledged as the fifth international airport that was installed by former Prime Minister of India, VP Singh. Despite being the state capital, Trivandrum International Airport is the second busiest airport, following Kochi International Airport. In the country, Trivandrum International Airport falls in the fourteenth position as the busiest airport in India. The airport recorded to accommodate about 4.4 million passengers, as on 2018-19, with aircraft movements of 33,093 in the same year. Trivandrum International Airport is only 3.7 kilometres away from the city centre and about 13 km from Technopark and 16 km from Kovalam beach. The airport is sprawled across an area of 700 acres of land. Currently, the airport handles two terminals, each dedicated to domestic and international flight operations, respectively. The airport also purveys to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard. In fact, IAF has an exclusive apron reserved for operations of the government security body. Additionally, it also allows pilot training activities that are facilitated by the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation technology.

About Trivandrum International Airport terminals

The airport has two terminals, one reserved for domestic operations and the second for international operations. Air India is the only airline which operates from the terminal 2. Ground operations at the international terminal are also handled by Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt. Ltd. and Bhadra International India Pvt. Ltd. The terminal is fully air-conditioned and has WiFi facilities available. Some of the other features of the international terminal include exquisite lounges, brilliant natural lights with the use of glass roofing and efficient conveyance services for passengers. Meanwhile, the domestic terminal mostly caters to good cafes, book shops, phone-recharging points and more. Along with the terminals, Trivandrum International Airport also has a narrow-body maintenance, repair and overhaul unit (MRO) operated by Air India. They cater to twin hangars for services of Boeing 737-type of aircraft and a plethora of Air India Express aircraft. At a time, two aircraft can be accommodated simultaneously at the two hangars of MRO.

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 or the domestic terminal covers an area of 99,000 square feet and has the capacity to handle 400 passengers at a go. Into Place Services fuelling operations that are facilitated by IndianOil Skytanking are also present in the domestic terminal.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 is a newly built building that has three jetways along with parking bays that can handle eight aircraft. It is built right opposite Terminal 1 and is closer to the city side. Constructed by the Airports Authority of India, the designs for the new terminal were taken up by architects of the UK-based firm, Pascall+Watson. The terminal serves as a catalyst for the development of the IT sector as well as the tourism industry of the southern districts of the state of Kerala. The international terminal is sprawled across an area of 380,000 square feet. It is capable of handling passengers of large aircraft such as three Airbus A340s and one Boeing 747. The passenger crowd mainly adds up to roughly 1500 passengers.

Meanwhile, the recorded passenger handling capacity has been recorded at 1.8 million, in a year. The area of the check-in floor is about 10,200 square feet while the arrival area covers about 6,500 square feet. With a view to enabling the passengers to check-in at any counter without having to waste time, the airport has installed a Common Users Terminal Equipment (CUTE). Along with this, there are X-ray machines installed right next to the conveyor belts to enable faster clearance of baggage. The terminal's entrance is perfectly connected to the Chacka-Eenchakkal road. A bridge has also been constructed across the Parvathy Puthanar canal that links the new international terminal to the Kazhakuttam-Inchivila National Highway. Further, the car park space of the terminal can accommodate nearly 600 cars.

About Airport Authority

Trivandrum International Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body has taken up the responsibility to manage, operate and maintain the airport's infrastructure. It has also undertaken roles of upgradation and expansion of the airport terminals and runways. Over the years, AAI has worked extensively towards making Trivandrum International Airport a state-of-the-art structure. They have enabled world-class facilities and installed better equipment for efficiency.

As part of the expansion plans proposed by the Airports Authority of India, they have demanded 82 acres of land to demolish the existing domestic terminal and to construct a new one altogether. The airport authority also plans to install newer and better facilities in the domestic terminal of Trivandrum International Airport. On the same, the state government has agreed to acquire about 18 acres for construction purposes of the domestic terminal. The new terminal that they plan to construct would be sprawled across 40,000 square metres to spruce up the city's common airport terminal area. Works regarding the new terminal, including blueprints of the new terminal building, have already begun at the AAI headquarters. They plan to complete the construction of the new terminal in about 18 to 24 months as soon as the Kerala government hands over the portion of land to the airport authorities. The new terminal is said to be a replica of the existing terminal 2.

Facilities at the Trivandrum International Airport

ATMs and forex counters – As an international airport, Trivandrum International Airport has provisions for currency exchange. You can find these counters in the arrivals section of the airport terminal.

Medical services – The airport has installed medical services and facilities to cater to emergency cases. There are dedicated rooms as well as free medical services that passengers can avail, in case they are facing some discomfort or unrest. Along with medical centres, the airport also has pharmacies.

Lounges – There are luxe lounges also available at the airport. Both the domestic and international terminals have lounge services which can only be accessed by specific ticket holders or VIP guests.

Baby care room – Child care rooms have been installed at the airport premise to make travelling easy for parents with infants. These rooms can be utilized for breastfeeding and diaper-changing activities.

Smoking zones – The airport follows a strict no-smoking protocol in public spaces. They have instead installed smoking zones for travellers who wish to smoke. These can be found at both the terminals of the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services are impeccable at the airport. They include facilities of trolleys, baggage wrapping services and porter systems.

Top airlines flying from Trivandrum International Airport

Presently, Trivandrum International Airport sees an equal amount of domestic and international flight operations. Some of the top domestic airlines operating from Trivandrum International Airport are Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. While the number of domestic airlines operating from Trivandrum International Airport is limited, the international flights are aplenty. Many international airlines that operate from Trivandrum Airport include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Emirates, British Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Maldivian, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Scoot and SriLankan Airlines. A majority of cities that the airport is connected to are Sharjah, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Riyadh, Kochi, Coimbatore, Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, London, Bahrain, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Colombo, to name a few. Trivandrum International Airport also accommodates cargo facilities and operations to be conducted from the airport terminal. Some of the important carriers include Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, FitsAir, Qatar Airways Cargo, SriLankan Cargo and Saudia Cargo.

How to reach Trivandrum International Airport

By Road

Trivandrum International Airport is located in proximity with National Highway 66. The airport has been situated in such a way that access to the city is enhanced. The new integrated terminal is perfectly connected to the city centre. Various buses can reach you to Trivandrum International Airport. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation mainly operates these buses. They have bus services across the city and interstate as well. You can easily reach the Trivandrum International Airport from the city limits. Plus, they are cheap and affordable too so travelling to reach Trivandrum International Airport is convenient. You can also opt for prepaid taxi service to reach both the terminals of Trivandrum International Airport. Cab aggregators such as Uber and Ola also have services in the city to reach Trivandrum International Airport. The cab fare is also fixed on Ola and Uber so you wouldn't have to haggle with the taxi driver.

By Rail

The airport is in reach of the city's central railway stations, Kochuveli Railway Station and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. They are located about 5 km and 5.5. km away from Trivandrum International Airport, respectively. The city is perfectly connected with the rest of the state from the railway station. You can easily reach the Trivandrum International Airport from the railway station. There are prepaid taxi cabs and other such services also available from the railway station.

  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.