{"id":63772,"date":"2024-05-19T17:15:35","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T11:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=63772"},"modified":"2024-05-19T17:15:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T11:45:39","slug":"air-india-cuts-kozhikode-while-saudi-airlines-adds-new-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/19\/air-india-cuts-kozhikode-while-saudi-airlines-adds-new-flights\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India Cuts Kozhikode While Saudi Airlines Adds New Flights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KOZHIKODE-<\/strong> Tata-owned Indian FSC, Air India (AI)<\/a>, will cease operations at Kozhikode Airport (CCJ) by June 15, ending its only remaining flight to Mumbai (BOM)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following privatization, the airline had already discontinued its long-standing Sharjah (SHJ)<\/a> and Dubai (DXB) <\/a>routes, which had been profitable for years, citing technical reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Robin HARDY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Cuts Kozhikode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Air India Express (IX) was supposed to take over these services, this transition did not occur, leading only to a slight increase in Air India Express flights to Dubai, reported Mathrubhumi<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some time, Air India’s operations at Kozhikode <\/a>have been limited to the Mumbai route, especially after the profitable Delhi route was shut down. With Air India’s departure, IndiGo (6E) <\/a>will be the only airline offering flights from Kozhikode to Mumbai. This will likely result in higher fares and limited ticket availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The withdrawal of Air India also poses a significant challenge for travelers to Europe, as it increases both travel costs and time due to reduced connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Saudi Airlines (SV)<\/a> is resuming operations at CCJ with narrow-body planes, which can accommodate 150-200 passengers. Previously, Saudi Airlines operated wide-body aircraft on this route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite conducting studies and submitting a report to the DGCA to reinstate wide-body services, approval has not been granted. As a result, the airline is restarting services using narrow-body aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Saudia, HZ-AS62, Airbus A320-214, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=78143987<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Restarts New Flights to Kozhikode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Airlines<\/a>, which ceased operations in Kozhikode also known as Calicut in 2015, is making a return with services starting on October 27. There will be seven flights per week, covering the Kozhikode-Jeddah and Kozhikode-Riyadh routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The schedule includes four weekly flights to Jeddah (JED)<\/a> and three weekly flights to Riyadh (RUH)<\/a>, with plans to increase the number of services to 11 by the end of November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large Code E aircraft will be used for these services, featuring 36 business class seats and 298 economy seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, Saudi Airlines operates flights to Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015, Saudi Airlines left Kozhikode due to restrictions on large aircraft during runway renovations. Following a plane crash in 2020, a ban on large aircraft was enforced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite implementing all recommended safety measures from the commission investigating the accident, the ban on large aircraft at Kozhikode continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Saudi Airlines returning, Emirates (EK)<\/a> and Oman Air (WY), which also left Kozhikode for similar reasons, are considering resuming their services as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision opens the door for more airlines to start operations in Kozhikode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on Telegram Group <\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Etihad Launches New Flights to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram<\/a><\/blockquote>