Centre Said This About Calicut Airport's Runway Expansion

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the runway expansion works of Calicut International Airport is projected to be completed by December 2025. He was responding to questions from CPM Rajya Sabha member Dr John Brittas in Parliament today.

The minister confirmed that following recommendations from an aviation expert committee, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) identified a need for 14.5 acres of land to establish a 240m Runway End Safety Area (RESA) at both ends of Calicut airport’s runway. The State Government of Kerala has provided 12.54 acres to AAI as of October 19, 2023. The development work for RESA was awarded on February 19, 2024, with environmental clearance granted on July 11, 2024, he informed the Rajya Sabha.

As a special measure to support the operation of wide-body aircraft at Calicut airport, AAI has agreed to cover the costs of filling and leveling the land for RESA, allocating Rs. 484.57 crore (including GST) for this purpose, the minister said.

The projected completion timeline for the RESA development is December 2025, subject to the availability of mandatory clearances and financial closure.