Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief for Kerala’s air travelers, Air India Express has assured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the recent reduction in flight services from the state is only temporary, promising that most curtailed routes will soon be restored.
During a meeting at the Chief Minister’s chamber in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Air India Express officials clarified that the flight cuts under the winter schedule (October 2025–March 2026) were short-term adjustments to meet higher seasonal demand in North India.
Vijayan, expressing strong concern, pointed out the 42 weekly flight reductions at Kannur International Airport, along with decreased services from Kozhikode and Kochi. He condemned the diversion of Kerala flights to privately operated airports, calling it unfair to Kerala’s public infrastructure. The Chief Minister stressed that scaling down services during peak demand seasons, especially when over 2.5 million Malayali expatriates rely on Gulf connections, was unjustifiable.
Vijayan urged the airline to reinstate flights from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Kochi immediately and ensure that Kerala, the airline’s historical hub, is not sidelined. Vijayan also recommended setting up a consultation mechanism with the state government to prevent unilateral decisions affecting millions of passengers.
Air India Express responded with a commitment to expand operations significantly by 2026, raising international services to 231 and domestic flights to 245 from Kerala — compensating for current reductions.
The airline also announced plans to launch new routes to Fujairah, Medina, Male, Singapore, London, and Bangkok, with future possibilities of Australia–Japan connections via Bengaluru or Singapore. Additional Gulf services will operate during Onam, Christmas, and New Year, while Thiruvananthapuram–Dubai flights will be restored this season. The airline is also considering introducing business-class services between Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi.
To address airport-level challenges, Additional Chief Secretary K.R. Jyothilal has been assigned to coordinate with authorities at Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur airports. A detailed review meeting with Kannur Airport officials will be held in Kochi, while issues at Thiruvananthapuram Airport will be taken up with management.
The meeting was attended by Air India Express Chairman Nipun Aggarwal, Managing Director Aloke Singh, Vice President Abhishek Garg, and Associate Vice President P.G. Prageesh, alongside senior state officials.
