The Calicut International Airport, also known as Kozhikode International Airport or Karipur Airport, is located in Karipur, about 25 km from Kozhikode. It is the 12th busiest airport in India, and after Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Kochi Airport, Calicut International Airport is the third busiest airport in Kerala. On February 2, 2006, it was designated as an international airport. The airport handles more than 6 million passengers annually.
The airport has two terminal buildings for domestic and international traffic. The domestic terminal has four check-in counters, one baggage carousel, and two departure and two arrival gates. The international airport terminal has three check-in counters, two baggage carousels, and two departure and two arrival gates.
Calicut International Airport began operations in April 1988 and serves the cities of Calicut, Malappuram, and Wayanad. It has a single runway that is 2,743 metres long and 45 metres wide. It can handle aircraft up to the size of an Airbus A330. The airport is equipped with a Category II Instrument Landing System and Precision Approach Path Indicators, enabling aircraft to land in low visibility conditions. The airport is also equipped with up-to-date navigational aids, including distance measuring.
The airport offers domestic flights to major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Kolkata. It also offers international flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Doha, Muscat and Bahrain.
Passengers currently have access to a 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft) international terminal comparable to the wide, contemporary international departure terminal that began operating on May 14, 2007. The arrival terminal has five conveyor belts installed. Hills and valleys line the runway descent at Calicut Airport.
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Who Owns Calicut International Airport?
The Calicut International Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It started its operations on 13 April 1988. On February 2, 2006, Calicut Airport was designated an international airport.
How to Reach Calicut International Airport?
Calicut International Airport, also known as Karipur Airport, is located in Kozhikode in the Indian state of Kerala. Several modes of transportation are available at the Calicut International Airport. Consequently, some of the least expensive options for transportation are listed below.
Bus Services
The trip from Kozhikode Calicut Airport to the closest bus station is 32.8 kilometres away and takes less than 40 minutes by road. Buses and cabs are readily available at the airport, enabling travellers to hire a taxi to their destination.
Rail Services
Kozhikode Railway Station is around 28 kilometres from the airport, which is situated in Karipur, Malappuram district. Trains are the preferred mode of transportation to the airport since Malappuram is approximately 25 kilometres away.
Cab Services
One can either book a private shuttle or hire a taxi to travel to the city centre. Find a taxi outside the airport terminal. They are present along the taxi lanes.
Calicut International Airport Terminals
The Kozhikode Calicut International Airport has two domestic and international terminals. It has 24 check-in counters, 24 self-check-in kiosks, and four baggage claim areas. The airport is connected to several cities in India and abroad through direct flights, with the busiest routes being Dubai, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Domestic Terminal 1
The domestic terminal has two levels, the Level and First Level. All domestic flights between the city and other significant Indian cities are operated out of the new interconnected terminal 1. There are two entry and exit gates in Terminal 1, providing it is simple for travellers to enter and exit. It oversees domestic and regional flights within India. Terminal 1 serves as the primary hub for Air India, operating 80 to 90 flights per week. It houses other airlines such as Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara.
International Terminal 2
The International Terminal is located on the Ground Level. Terminal 2 offers international flights to a spectrum of countries, including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, and Ras al-Khaimah, among many others. Several top airlines operating from this terminal include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Bahrain Air, Etihad Airways, JetKonnect, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, and RAK Airways.
Cargo Services
In addition to passenger services, the airport also offers cargo services. Expoair and Qatar Airways are two significant airlines that undertake cargo services. Doha and Colombo are the primary cargo destinations handled by the airport. Additionally, it offers prompt shipping services to various locations, which contributes to establishing favourable relationships with customers.
Facilities
Calicut International Airport serves the city of Kozhikode and the surrounding regions of North Kerala, South Karnataka, and the Lakshadweep Islands. Services at the airport include domestic and international flights, cargo services, car rentals, and car parking facilities. The airport also offers retail outlets, restaurants, banking and currency exchange services, medical facilities, Wi-Fi and other amenities.
Parking
Calicut International Airport offers a variety of parking options, including short-term, long-term, and valet parking, with a holding capacity of more than 800 cars at a time. The airport offers a Payless Parking option, which offers extra advantages.
Car Rental
Car rental services are available at Calicut International Airport, allowing passengers to rent cars for travel.
Duty-Free Shopping
Duty-free shopping is available at the airport, allowing passengers to purchase tax-free international and local goods.
Food and Beverage
The airport has a variety of food and beverage outlets, including cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange services are available at the airport, allowing international passengers to exchange their money for local currency.
Wi-Fi
The airport provides free Wi-Fi access to passengers, making it easy to stay connected while travelling.
Airport Lounge
Calicut International Airport offers an exclusive airport lounge for passengers who wish to relax in a comfortable environment before their flight, with added facilities and services.
Medical Services
Medical services, including first-aid, are available at the airport for passengers who may require them.
Other Services
The Calicut International Airport provides a wide range of additional services. Along with other amenities, there are other services available, such as prayer rooms, ATMs, child care facilities, post offices, Internet cafés, book vending machines, currency exchanges, telephones, baggage wrapping machines, and public restrooms.
Statistics
Calicut International Airport is one of the busiest airports in India. It is located in the southern state of Kerala and serves as a significant hub for air traffic in the region. The Airports Authority of India operates the airport and handled over 5.8 million passengers in 2019-20. It also required over 70,000 aircraft movements during the same period.
As the statistics depict, the Calicut International Airport has witnessed an influx of people travelling in and out of the city and country since the upliftment of the pandemic barriers. Over 1,655,145 passengers used the Kozhikode Calicut International Airport flight services between April 2021 to March 2022. There was an increase of 84.6% in passengers, and the airport had 15,008 aircraft movements, a 67.9% increase rate post the pandemic.
Top Localities Around Calicut International Airport
The following is a list of the top localities near Calicut International Airport.
Ramanattukara
The town of Ramanattukara is located in Kerala’s Kozhikode District. Previously, this hamlet was known as Kadungan Chira village. The distance between Kozhikode city and Ramanattukara is 14 kilometres. Ramanattukara, which is growing as a suburb of Kozhikode, is a component of the original strategy for the Kozhikode urban region. The district is famous for its traditional temples and pristine beaches.
Kuttiady
Kuttiady is one of the prominent towns in northeastern Kerala’s Kozhikode district. It is 50 kilometres from Kozhikode and 24 kilometres from Vadakara, respectively. Kuttiady is a significant agricultural region, and the adjacent villages are home to numerous plantations. The area is well known for its rubber plantations, high-yielding coconut trees, areca nuts, pepper, coffee, and other significant farming products.
Chelannur
The village of Chelannur is located in the Kozhikode district in Kerala. Currently, the United Democratic Front is in charge of the village. The locality is famous for its numerous exquisite beaches, bird sanctuaries, waterfalls, and more.
Nadapuram
In Kerala’s Kozhikode District, Nadapuram is a census municipality with a special grade of Panchayath, part of the Nadapuram assembly constituency. It is located in Kerala’s North Malabar region and occupies a 20.44 km2 area.
The Nadapuram mosque serves as a famous worship site for Malayalam poetry’s spiritual and academic realms. The mosque’s architectural details are noteworthy.
Koyilandy
On the Malabar Coast of Kerala, Koyilandy is a municipality, district and tehsil originally known as Quilandy in English. On National Highway 66, the historic town is situated directly along the shore in the Kozhikode district, halfway between Calicut and Kannur.
FAQs
What is the name of Calicut International Airport?
The Calicut International Airport is officially known as the Calicut International Airport Karipur (CCJ).
Why is Calicut Airport in Malappuram?
Calicut Airport, originally known as Karipur Airport, is located in the Malappuram district because it is the most centrally located district in Kerala, making it the most convenient airport for all the nearby neighbourhoods. Calicut is also the district’s hub of business and commerce and is easily accessible to the neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
How many airports are there in Calicut?
There is only one airport in Calicut, namely the Calicut International Airport.
Which airport is near Calicut?
Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is the closest airport to Calicut.
Which is the first airport in Kerala?
The first airport in Kerala is the Cochin International Airport (COK), located in Nedumbassery, Kerala.
How many airports are there in Kerala?
There are four airports in Kerala, namely Trivandrum International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kozhikode International Airport, and Kannur International Airport.
