Air passengers, political parties and various organisations have been demanding the operation of Code E aircraft from Calicut airport since the ban was enforced in May 2015. | Photo Credit: S_RAMESHKURUP;S_RAMESHKURUP - more-in The resumption of operation of wide-bodied aircraft at the Calicut airport has been deadlocked again with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials in New Delhi asking Calicut airport authorities not to proceed with the project. This comes close on the heels of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) insisting that a compatibility study should be undertaken jointly among stakeholders including aerodrome operator, aeroplane operator, ground handling agencies and air navigation service provider. However, many believe that the AAI and the DGCA are playing a game of hide-and-seek with the proposal to grant approval to major airlines to fly Code E aircraft from Calicut airport even though the airport authorities had begun the groundwork for the operation of wide-bodied aircraft nine months ago. DGCA nod The delay in getting the green signal from the DGCA could be attributed to multiple factors including the alleged vested interests of some AAI officials citing procedures for air navigational services prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, said sources. Volte-face The Calicut airport authorities were baffled by the volte-face of AAI officials in New Delhi when the latter said the Flights Standards Division of the DGCA had examined the commencement of wide-bodied airport types ignoring the reports of the Calicut airport and Saudi Arabian Airlines that gave a detailed report on safety assessment. Both Emirates and Air India are yet to submit their safety assessment reports. The DGCA had stated that each compatibility study has to be carried out specifically on a particular type of aeroplane by the airline operator. Besides, the resultant risk arising out of the safety assessment should be accepted by both the airport and the airline operator. Four months ago, it was the AAI that had recommended to the DGCA to allow Calicut airport to resume operations of the wide-bodied aircraft after Emirates, Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), and Air India that serviced Middle East destinations expressed their willingness to operate wide-bodied aircraft. Incidentally, the AAI had also in August 2017 decided to approve the proposal of Calicut airport authorities to operate Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Air passengers, especially to Gulf destinations, political parties and various organisations have been demanding the operation of Code E aircraft since the ban was enforced in May 2015.

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