Kannur International Airport: For them, a dream flight

KANNUR: From frequent flyers to first flyers, from toddlers to the oldies, the passengers on the inaugural flight from Kannur International Airport on Sunday, the Air India Express Boeing 737-800, were an exited lot. All of them also had one thing to say, 'Kannur airport is an amazing facility'.

It was just to fly in the inaugural flight that Dubai-based businessman and Payyannur native Abdul Jabbar came home last week after getting the ticket.

"Ever since the date of commissioning was announced, I had decided that I would fly in the inaugural flight. I finally managed to get the ticket for slightly over Rs 36,000," he said.

Same was the case of Pazhayangadi native Afsal Choran, who has been working in the Gulf for the last 12 years. "I was lucky to get the ticket," said Afsal without hiding his excitement, even as he took a selfie with his brother inside the departure area.

But for C Jayachandran, president of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, it was kind of an official trip as also a personal one. This was a trip he would cherish for long though he is a frequent flyer. To make this airport a success, more foreign carriers should get permission to land here, he opined.

However, for Kuinjimangalam native Umar Ul Farooq, who was flying to Abu Dhabi on a visit visa to meet his relatives, it was the thrill of his first air travel. "I am happy that I got that chance in the maiden flight from here," he said.

And for Chakkarakkal native Shamseer, who is working in Abu Dhabi, it was a 'double dream' come true. "I wanted to fly in the inaugural flight and also wanted my mother Safiya to join me. Luckily, I succeeded in getting two tickets," he said.