Comprehensive devt plan for three Kerala airports

A comprehensive development plan has been prepared for three airports in Kerala, Minister of State for Civil Aviation KC Venugopal said. "A comprehensive development project for the three existing airports (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode) in the state has been prepared," he said. Utmost priority is being given to the proposed airports at Kannur and in Goa, he also said after inaugurating the sixth edition of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival.

GKSF is expected to give a boost to the trade and commerce sector in the state and he hoped it would become just like the Dubai Shopping festival. "GKSF has grown into a mega commercial and cultural fiesta during the tourism season," he said at the function presided over by Kerala tourism minister A P Anilkumar. A total of 101 kgs of gold would be given away as prizes during the festival. Film actor Dileep was the chief guest at the event, also attended by Kerala agriculture minister KP Mohanan.

Earlier, Venugopal  felicitated the pilot of a Sharjah-bound Air India flight Captain Sajeekhan and Air Traffic Controler Muhammed Shahid of Karippur International Airport for the emergency landing of an Air India flight safely after the aircraft developed engine failure soon after it took-off on December 8. Speaking on the occasion, he said the Emigration facility at the Karippur airport would be further improved.

Eight more emigration counters would be added to the present 12 for the convenience of overseas passengers, he said adding the new counters would start functioning from January 10 next. A meeting will be convened on January 10 to discuss about the future development of the airport, Venugopal said.