Several organisations including the Malabar Chamber of Commerce and the Calicut Airport Committee have chalked out various agitation programmes in protest against the partial shutdown of the Calicut Airport for 15 months from May 1.
A strike declaration convention held here decided to stage a sit-in at the airport from 11 a.m. on Saturday. The second part of the agitation would be a delegation submitting a memorandum to the Centre. Representatives of non-resident Indian associations, political parties, and voluntary agencies, and social and cultural leaders will take part in the agitation.
They said that the partial shutdown of the international airport for runway repair would disrupt air travel to Gulf nations. (The strengthening and the re-carpeting of the runway are done to ensure safety of the flights.)
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Thousands of migrants working in the Middle East and West Asian countries would be affected.
For eight months, from May 1, wide-bodied aircrafts – Airbus 300, Boeing 747 and 777 – will not be allowed. Even after that, these aircrafts would be allowed only for a few hours during the day.
Malabar Development Society president C.E. Chakkunny said that the passengers who had booked tickets from various airlines to fly out from Calicut airport for Haj, Umra and Onam season had been redirected to other airports in the State. However, the authorities should ensure that the medium-sized aircrafts were allowed at the airport during the partial shutdown period.
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Mr. Chakkunny said that the elected representatives should pressurise the Centre for a workable solution instead of resorting to a protest at the last moment.