New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that Kannur airport will be provided all possible help to make it fully operational by September this year and directed the Chairman, Airport Authority of India to take all necessary steps to make the airport as a point of call for foreign airlines.
Mr Prabhu in a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured him of all possible steps to make Kannur a fully operational international airport.
The Kerala Chief Minister requested intervention of Mr Prabhu for granting permission to foreign airlines to operate from Kannur and direct Indian airlines to operate more international flights from the city.
During the meeting Mr Prabhu asked Mr Vijayan to submit a proposal to develop tourism sector in Kerala.
He said the Commerce Ministry had identified 12 champion sectors in which tourism was also a part.
Notably, the Union Cabinet had allocated Rs 5,000 crores towards development of these champion sectors.
The Commerce Minister also informed the Chief Minister about the efforts taken to develop marine industry in Kerala.
“I spoke to Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and others about setting up processing factories for marine products in Kerala and other parts of India as this would add to creation of employment. This would also make the foreign markets available to Indian fishermen. Our idea is to develop commodities, create infrastructure, develop tourism and provide air connectivity in Kerala. We are also working on making the state a hub for logistics”, Mr Prabhu added.
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