Calicut International Airport (IATA: CCJ, ICAO: VOCL), also known as Karipur Airport, is an International Airport serving the city of Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, India. The airport is located in Karipur, Malappuram district about 28 km (17 mi) from the Kozhikode Railway Station and 25 km (16 mi) from the town of Malappuram, with the closest railway station being at Feroke. It is the seventh busie
st airport in the country in terms of international passenger traffic and the 12th busiest airport in India in terms of overall passenger traffic. The airport was given the international airport status on 2 February 2006, thereby paving the way for the improvement of infrastructure for handling international flights. It is the third busiest airport in Kerala after Cochin International Airport and Trivandrum International Airport. The airport was sanctioned after a long period of struggle which began in 1977 under the leadership of freedom fighter K. Funds were collected from Gulf Malayalis for its development in the 1990s when the Union Government said it did not have funds. To raise the funds needed for airport development, the Malabar International Airport Development Society was formed. Later major developments of facilities, such as extension of runway from 6,000 ft (1,800 m) to 9,000 ft (2,700 m) to facilitate operation of wide-body aircraft were carried out with loans from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO). Calicut is a charming coastal town in the land of spices and is known for its rich history, culture, commerCCJl glory, beaches, back waters and splendid scenic beauty. Calicut Airport commissioned on 13.04.1988 on a Vishu (Malayalam New year) day by Airports Authority of India. The first flight was from Bombay, initially only 4 flights operated per week. Presently Calicut International Airport (CCJ) handles 360 flights per week likely to go upto 380-400 flights per week in six months. First International flight to Sharjah started from this airport on 15.02.1992 placing this airport on the international map and got the status of International Airport on 16.02.2006. Today Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is the Gateway to Malabar Region for the whole world. The airport is on 378 acres of land about 28 kilometers from Calicut city. Cochin, Coimbatore and Mangalore Airports are nearby airport at distance 155 Km., 175 km and 295 km respectively. Since the infrastructure expansion is limited being Table top Runway and having only 378 acres of land. has accorded approval for transfer of 137 acres of land to AAI for infrastructure development of station along with approval of compensation package on fast track level in January, 2011. Temporary office for land acquisition has inaugurated on 27th January 2011 by Honourable State Revenue Minister. Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is used extensively by air passengers of –
Major seven districts of Kerala such as Kasaragode, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur
Name of the Airport - Distance from the Airport
1. Cochin Airport :155 Kms (By Road), 64 NM (By Air)
2. Coimbatore Airport :170 Kms (By Road), 65 NM (By Air)
3. Trivandrum Airport : 400 Kms (By Road), 168 NM (By Air)
4. Mangalore Airport : 300Kms (By Road), 125NM (By Air)
