Kannur International Airport, located in the Mattanur region of Kerala’s Kannur district, is the one of the three international airports of the state, alongside Cochin and Trivandrum. Being strategically located near an inter-state border, this airport also serves the Kodagu district of Karnataka and Mahe district of Puducherry, connecting these regions to the Middle East and also various important domestic destinations. This article provides some key details about Kannur International Airport to ensure a smooth travelling experience.
See also: All about Trivandrum International Airport: Runway, terminals
Kannur Airport: Key facts
| Name | Kannur Airport, Kannur International Airport |
| IATA | CNN |
| ICAO | VOKN |
| Owner/operator | Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) |
| Established on | 9 December 2018 |
| Address | Mattannur, Kannur District, Kerala – 670702 |
| Locations served | Kannur, Kodagu (Karnataka), Mahe (Puducherry) |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Annual footfall (April 2022 – March 2023) | 12,57,086 |
Flight operations
Alongside various domestic destinations, Kannur Airport serves as a link to several locations in the Middle East. Here is a brief guide to the flight operations of the airport:
| Destination type | Destination | Airline(s) | Flights/week |
| Domestic | Bengaluru | Air India Express, IndiGo | 29 |
| Chennai | IndiGo | 7 | |
| Cochin | IndiGo | 7 | |
| Hyderabad | IndiGo | 7 | |
| Mangalore | Air India Express | 4 | |
| Mumbai | IndiGo | 6 | |
| Trivandrum | IndiGo, Air India Express | 9 | |
| International | Abu Dhabi | Air India Express | 6 |
| Bahrain | Air India Express | 2 | |
| Doha | Air India Express, IndiGo | 11 | |
| Dubai | Air India Express | 8 | |
| Jeddah | Air India Express | 2 | |
| Kuwait | Air India Express | 2 | |
| Muscat | Air India Express | 6 | |
| Riyadh | Air India Express | 2 | |
| Sharjah | Air India Express | 11 |
Passenger terminal features
The passenger terminal at Kannur International Airport houses several attractive features that ensure a smooth experience. Spanning across an area of about 10 lakh square feet, this terminal houses six aerobridges, 48 check-in counters, 32 emigration counters and 16 customs counters, giving it the potential to handle up to 2,000 passengers at a time. Additionally, it has four conveyor belts to facilitate easy baggage claim. This terminal has adopted environmental sustainability with its double skin aluminium roofing and energy-efficient LED lighting.
Alongside these infrastructural features, the airport has numerous self-checking counters and baggage dropping facilities available for your convenience. Retail outlets, duty-free shops, food joints, ATMs and money-exchange facilities are also available in plenty for both functional and recreational purposes. VIP lounges for both domestic and international passengers, a baby care room and a prayer room ensure a comfortable experience for you while you wait for your flight.
How to reach Kannur Airport?
Here is the connectivity status of Kannur Airport and how you can get there:
By bus
The airport is located in Mattanur, which is at a distance of about 26 km from Kannur. Several buses ply on this route, thereby aiding easy connectivity. A bus ride from Kannur to Mattanur takes about 45 – 60 minutes. The airport is located at a distance of 5 km from Mattanur Bus Station and it takes around 15 minutes to reach there by road.
By train
The nearest railway station to Kannur Airport is located at a distance of 26 km in Kannur. From there, you can take a bus or hire a cab to get to the airport by road. Alternatively, Thalassery Railway Station is also located at about the same distance from the airport, and can be accessed by road in approximately the same time.
By private vehicles
Hiring a cab or renting a car to reach the airport is advisable to save time and avoid last minute inconveniences. Cab rental services are available at most surrounding districts to reach the airport and also at the airport to reach your destination.
Real estate impact
Enhancing connectivity to various important commercial destinations, Kannur Airport is a boon for the real estate industry in the surrounding places and the city in general. The presence of the airport has played a major part in the economic growth and development of transport infrastructure in the city and given a major boost to the tourism industry, thereby also enhancing the quality of life here. More and more people prefer settling in such economically developed and well-connected regions and it leads to the betterment of the real estate market as well.
The employment opportunities created with the development of the airport has led to a rise in the demand of real estate in the surrounding regions and the availability of infrastructural amenities is an added advantage. All these factors have made the region surrounding Kannur Airport an appealing prospect for investors. Real estate experts claim that the value of land has appreciated by 20x since the development of the airport in 2018, almost touching the Rs 1 crore in 2023 from the initial Rs 5 lakh in 2013.
FAQs
Which airline companies conduct flight operations from Kannur Airport?
Air India Express and IndiGo are the airlines that operate from Kannur Airport to connect it to major cities.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
The city centre is located at a distance of 26 km from the airport and is easily accessible by road via cab or bus.
Does the airport have any international flights?
The airport connects Kannur to the Middle East through flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Muscat, Kuwait, Sharjah, Jeddah and Riyadh several times a week.
Is there a lounge at Kannur Airport?
Kannur Airport has comfortable VIP lounges for passengers near the departure area with internet connectivity.
Are there facilities in place for passengers with special needs?
Kannur Airport provides wheelchair assistance and accessible washrooms for passengers with special needs.
Are there any hotels near Kannur Airport?
Yes, La-Serene, JP Airport Hotel, Airport Hotel Kannur and Gateway Airport Hotel are some of the hotels near the airport.
What are some popular food joints around the airport?
Puthuma Hotel, Curry Tree Diner, Haldiram’s, Emirates Fast Food and Pearl Lounge are some popular eateries around the airport.
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