Air India Express Plans Expansion of Domestic Flights from Calicut

Quick Summary

• Air India Express is considering increasing domestic services from Calicut international Airport.
• Managing director Aloke Singh confirmed no extra fares will be charged for Haj services departing from calicut starting soon.
• A new service from Calicut to mumbai is planned following the launch of Navi Mumbai’s new airport.
• A flight route connecting Calicut and Goa is also under consideration.
• MPs M.K. Raghavan and E.T. Mohammed Basheer have requested daily operations for routes including Thiruvananthapuram,Kolkata,Kuwait,Bahrain,and Al ain.
• Other destinations suggested by the MPs include Fujairah, Madinah, and Singapore.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recent developments concerning Air India Express’s services indicate a higher focus on connectivity between Calicut International Airport and major destinations both domestically and internationally.This aligns with growing passenger traffic at regional hubs like Calicut as officials respond to evolving demands from lawmakers representing local constituencies. The removal of extra charges for Haj travel reflects responsiveness to community needs while fostering inclusivity in specialized transportation offerings.

Proposals for new routes such as those linking Calicut to Mumbai and Goa could significantly boost economic activity within Kerala by facilitating easier movement of tourists, business travelers, and migrant workers.Similarly, expanding international connections may enhance trade relations with regions like the Middle East or Southeast Asia given Kerala’s high expatriate population residing in these areas.

While tangible benefits are anticipated if these expansions materialize fully-from improved socio-economic linkages to increased convenience-long-term sustainability will depend on demand viability assessments alongside operational readiness at both proposed origin airports (Calicut) and destination hubs like Navi Mumbai or Fujairah.

Read more: Published – August 12, 2025 08:16 pm IST