T.V. Ibrahim, Kondotty MLA, has raised an allegation of conspiracy to deter passengers from using Calicut International Airport, Karipur. He has claimed that a significant drop in the number of Haj pilgrims opting for Karipur airport due to substantial fare disparities is evidence of the alleged plot.
Despite an additional fare of ₹32,000 per ticket, 10,515 pilgrims travelled through the airport for Haj in 2024. However, the number dropped to 5,857 in 2025 with fares being around ₹40,000, higher than those in Kochi and Kannur. For the upcoming Haj season, the number of pilgrims opting for the Calicut airport has drastically dropped to just 632.
“This is part of a bigger plot. The current trend suggests that the authorities are deliberately phasing out the Calicut airport as a Haj embarkation point. It seems their plan will be successful by next year,” said Mr. Ibrahim.
According to Mr. Ibrahim, the Central and State governments and the State Haj Committee are guilty of negligence, which led to the ongoing discrimination against the airport.
Malappuram district has the largest number of pilgrims going to Makkah from Kerala. “They chose the Calicut airport despite the high fares in the past two years. The coming season, they are renouncing the airport because of the the exorbitant rates,” he said.
The MLA said that the State government and the State Haj Committee did not make effective interventions to put an end to the disparity in charges. “They are trying to destroy the airport and helping Kannur and Kochi airports grow,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim dismissed the claim that higher prices were charged at the Calicut airport due to the use of smaller flights. “The argument is baseless. Currently, the standard flight rates to Saudi Arabia from Kozhikode, Kochi, and Kannur are nearly identical. So, why should Haj flights alone have different rates?” he asked.
“Moreover, private Haj and Umrah groups are utilising the Calicut airport more than others. What is the reason behind this discriminatory treatment?” he asked.
Published – August 19, 2025 08:12 pm IST
