The Airports Authority of India has decided, in the interest of safety, to suspend operations of bigger aircraft such as B-777, B-747 and A-330-200 at the Calicut airport in Kerala for six months with effect from May 1.
The AAI has already decided to re-carpet and strengthen the runway at the airport for safety reasons in view of its precarious surface condition after the last month. The work will be undertaken after this year's monson season in September, an official press release said.
The situation will be reviewed after assessing the progress of re-carpeting work of the runway, it said.
Out of 162 flights per week (41 domestic + 121 international), 26 flights per week of Saudia Airlines, Emirates and Air India will be affected due to suspension of operations of big aircraft.
However, airlines can operate aircraft such as B-757, B-767, B -737, A-310, A-320 or similar aircraft, the release said.
The AAI has also requested the Government of Kerala to provide 248 acres of land for extension of runway including Runway End Safety Area and Basic Strip of 150 metre on either side of the runway centerline.
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