Kannur International Airport
Kannur, India
Kannur International Airport
Kerala's fourth international gateway serving northern Malabar coast.
- ›Kannur International Airport is Kerala's fourth international airport, inaugurated on December 9, 2018.
- ›It is operated by Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL), a unique public-private partnership model.
- ›The airport is located near Mattannur town in Kannur district, about 28 km from Kannur city.
- ›It primarily serves the large NRI community of northern Kerala working in Gulf countries.
- ›The airport was developed on land acquired across multiple villages and involved significant infrastructure investment by the Kerala government.
Kannur International Airport, opened in December 2018, is one of India's newest international airports and the fourth in Kerala. Built on a hilltop at Mattanur through a public-private partnership model with significant NRI community investment, it serves the northern Malabar region, long underserved by air connectivity. The airport plays a vital role in linking the diaspora-heavy districts of Kannur and Kasaragod with the Gulf nations and major Indian cities.
- Integrated Terminal — A single modern terminal handling both domestic and international operations with separate departure zones and a capacity of around 1,500 passengers per hour.
- Prepaid taxi and app-based cabs available outside the arrivals hall
- Private bus services connecting Kannur city centre and nearby towns
- Auto-rickshaws available for short-distance travel to Mattanur town
- Car rental desks available within the terminal
- KSRTC bus services connecting Kannur and Thalassery from nearby stops
- Mascot Beach Resort, Kannur
- Costa Malabari, Kannur
- Meridian Hotel, Kannur
- Hotel Placio, Mattanur
- The Kannur Beach House
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a modest selection of cafes and quick-service outlets offering Kerala snacks, meals, and beverages alongside standard airport fare. The surrounding Mattanur and Kannur areas are renowned for Malabar cuisine, with numerous local restaurants serving biryani, fish curries, and traditional Kerala breakfast items just a short drive away. Travellers are advised to try the local Thalassery biryani, a regional specialty not to be missed.
- Arrive early as the hilltop location can be affected by fog during early winter mornings, occasionally causing flight delays.
- Pre-book taxis through hotel concierges or trusted apps as roadside cabs near the airport can be limited in supply.
- Currency exchange and ATM facilities are available inside the terminal but options are limited, so carry adequate cash for immediate needs.
- The airport is approximately 25 km from Kannur city centre; factor in at least 45 minutes of travel time during peak hours.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Kannur International Airport is an international airport serving the city of Kannur, Wayanad district, Mahé district of Puducherry and the rest of northern Kerala in India. It is located in Mattanur, 28 km (17 mi) east of Kannur and 24 km (15 mi) east of Thalassery. It is owned and operated by Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL), a public–private consortium. The airport opened for commercial operations on 9 December 2018.
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