MPs demand more flights between Gulf countries and Indian state of Kerala

MPs demand more flights between Gulf countries and Indian state of Kerala

A written question in Lok Sabha, the lower House of parliament, asked "whether the government has taken note of the lack of adequate connectivity between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Kozhikode airport [known as Calicut International Airport]." The question sought "details regarding interventions by the Government to increase connectivity with GCC countries." Kozhikode is a growing aviation hub for passengers, especially non-resident Indians (NRIs), arriving in Kerala from the Gulf and hence the demand for more flights. Kerala’s Malabar coast, of which Kozhikode is a part, also shares historical links with Arabia and Europe. Tourism is sought to be promoted in this region. Kerala has four international airports. In response, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, gave parliament a break-up of flights between the GCC and Kozhikode airport. According to the ongoing summer schedule for this year, Kozhikode is linked to airports in the UAE by 78 weekly flights, the minister wrote in reply. Thirty-seven of these round-trip flights are bound for Dubai, 21 to Sharjah, 18 to Abu Dhabi and two to Ras al Khaimah. In addition, Saudi Arabia has 49 weekly flights, Qatar has 22, Oman has 14, Bahrain’s share is 13 while