The Ministry of Environment and Forests on 19 July 2013 gave green clearance for an international airport in north Kerala's Kannur district. Kannur airport would be the fourth international airport in the state after Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.
The international airport will be constructed in a total land area of 525.50 hectares with a proposed built-up area of 50000 square metres. It will be constructed at Keezhallur and Pazhassi Panchayat in Thalassery.
The proposed Airport was cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in February 2008. The total cost for the execution of AIR project will be approximately 1000 crore rupees. The first phase of the airport is expected to be completed by 2014 and the first flight would land at Kannur airport in 2015.
Prior to this, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for building construction, coastal regulation zone, infrastructure development and miscellaneous projects had recommended the project. It was set up by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Environmental Concern
• According to an estimate, 30421 trees will be cut to build the airport in a total land area of 525.50 hectares.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forest has directed the concerned department for compensatory tree plantation of at least 1:3 ratio and the department should carry the cost for its timely maintenance.
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