India – The Kerala state government has announced plans to establish pilot training and flight simulator facilities at Kannur International Airport, operated by Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL). The initiative forms part of a wider airport development plan intended to expand aviation training and supporting infrastructure in northern Kerala.
- Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced the plans on September 28, 2026, identifying three proposed aviation training components:
- Fixed-wing pilot training centre
- Helicopter pilot training centre
- Flight simulator training centre
- The government also intends to establish aircraft maintenance facilities at the airport, creating additional infrastructure for aviation training and technical operations.
- Satheesan linked the proposed training facilities to anticipated demand for pilots as Indian airlines introduce aircraft from their order backlogs. The initiative is intended to increase domestic pilot training capacity and support the development of aviation-related activities in Kerala.
- The Chief Minister stated that the government intends to implement major airport development measures within one year.
- Kannur International Airport currently operates a 3,050-metre runway designated 07/25, with a longer-term plan to extend it to 4,000 metres. The airport operator has also identified terminal expansion, additional aircraft parking bays and taxiway improvements among its future infrastructure projects.
Source: Local media
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