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Kannur International Airport

TeamAckoJan 23, 2025

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Kannur is one of the most prominent locations in Kerala, surrounded by lush greenery, beaches and scenic landscapes. The Kannur International Airport plays a major role in driving and distributing tourists within and from the city. With over 3 million passengers every year, this airport manages flights to various major destinations worldwide.

This article is going to be a complete exploration of the details related to airport Kannur. So, if you are planning to travel via this airport shortly, make sure to read till the end.

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Contents

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Kannur Airport Basic Details

Kannur International Airport is located about 25 kilometres away from the city. It is also one of the four international airports present in Kerala. The airport has been operational since 3rd December 2009 and is also considered among the greenfield airports in Kerala. Besides, it has one terminal building of this airport that serves flights for both international and domestic departures.

The airport has 1 integrated terminal, with three levels (basement, arrival and departure) that are used for both domestic and international flight operations, with an area of 1,040,000 sq ft. Moreover, the Kannur Airport is managed by a public-private consortium which has plans to expand the area for training helicopter pilots and setting up an aviation academy.

  • Address: Mattannur, Kerala 670702

  • IATA Code: CNN airport code

  • Type: International airport with departure and arrival of both local and international services.

  • Operational Authority: Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL), a public-private consortium.

Kannur Airport Terminal Information

Kannur Airport has only one major terminal building that serves both international and domestic departures. This terminal building is equipped with baggage handling facilities, modern check-in counters, and security check systems which are all based on international aviation standards.

Apart from this, some of the other crucial information regarding the terminal building of Kannur Airport includes the following:

  • The terminal building of Airport Kannur consists of 32 Immigration counters, 24 check-in counters, 16 customer service counters and 6 aerobridges.

  • The passenger terminal building is about 10 lakh sq. ft. with a flyover of 750 m in length.

  • It has three levels, including the basement, arrival and departure.

  • The terminal building also comes with self-baggage-dropping machines and self-check-in counters.

  • One of the unique facilities of the terminal building is referred to as the “Swing Facility”. This means the building can either be operated as a domestic terminal or an international one. It becomes possible because of the presence of a sliding glass partition in between.

  • The total passenger capacity of the terminal building is 2000 including both domestic and international.

  • It is also equipped with food and beverage outlets, money exchange counters, retail outlets, day hotels, duty-free shops, and international lounges with VIP lounges.

  • The terminal building also could be expanded into a modular fashion.

Kannur International Airport Facilities

You can make your waiting period at Airport Kannur worthwhile because of the varied facilities available inside the building. Go through the following points to learn about some of those:

1. Internet Access

Kannur International Airport provides a wifi service for all the passengers travelling to the airport. You can use the internet for free on your preferred device while you wait for your flight to arrive.

2. Dining Options

The airport features a host of dining options ranging from usual coffee shops to wholesome restaurants. Passengers are allowed to select their preferred cuisines from the multiple spreads available in the airport.

3. Money Exchange Facility

Kannur International Airport also features forex counters from where they opt for currency exchange. You can avail of this service whenever you are travelling internationally via this airport.

4. Duty-Free Shopping

The wide range of shopping options at Kannur Airport keeps you busy while you wait for your flight. From designer bags, and sunglasses to sweets or footwear and other accessories, you can have it all in one place.

5. VIP Lounges

Both domestic and international passengers can have access to the VIP lounges area, where they can relax, catch up with their companions or grab a bite while waiting for the flights. Passengers are also offered a complimentary water bottle, tea/coffee and cookies.

6. Meet and Greet Service

Kannur International Airport (with CNN IATA code) provides a convenient meet and greet service, through which passengers experience a warm welcome, after travelling for long hours on the flight.

7. Porter Service

For passengers who would seek a little assistance with carrying their bags inside the airport, the airport also offers porter services. However, you can avail of this service at the cost of a nominal fee.

8. Medical Facility

Medical facilities are available for passengers travelling through Kannur Airport. In the case of a medical emergency, you can connect with a ground staff who can then guide you through the process.

9. Prayer Room

Kannur Airport also features dedicated rooms for prayer. It is meant for passengers of all faiths and religions who would spend a few moments in prayer while waiting for their flights.

10. Baggage Wrapping Service

The airport has dedicated baggage wrapping services for passengers who would require additional protection for their baggage. However, this service is optional and chargeable.

Things to Do at Kannur Airport

While you wait for your flights to arrive at Kannur International Airport (CNN), some of the things you can delve into include the following:

1. Shopping for Souvenirs

Kannur Airport offers a wide range of shops offering varied accessories, clothes, footwear and many more. It is fun to go through the shops and purchase a few things that interest you as souvenirs for your loved ones.

2. Relax in the Lounges

The lounges at Kannur Airport are available for both domestic and international passengers. Thus, you can spend some time relaxing in the lounges. It is also fun to catch up with friends and families or attend the last-minute call of your work while waiting for your flight.

3. Stay Connected

You can get free access to the internet inside Kannur Airport. Thus, you can use this wifi facility to do a quick video call with your loved ones. Or else, you can watch your preferred movies and web series online.

4. Enjoy Local Cuisines

You will get some of the most delicious cuisines of Kerala. From traditional Kerala Sadhya to various South Indian delicacies, you can have it all there as per your preference.

5. Explore the Displayed Art and Culture

Kannur Airport showcases several arts and crafts, featuring pride and honour to the rich heritage and culture of the state. While your flight arrives, you can take a little time and explore these masterpieces which you would remember as a part of your trip to South India.

Transportation Options from Kannur Airport

There are several transportation options available from CNN Airport (Kannur Airport). Passengers can use these facilities to reach the airport or any other destination from the airport. These include the following:

  • Bus: Travelling through the Kerala RTC bus is the most cost-effective and easiest way to travel to various destinations including Kannur, Iritty, Mattannur etc. You can also choose any of the other buses that travel to other routes.

  • Train: The nearest railway station to the airport is Kannur Railway Station which is located at a distance of 26 km from Kannur airport. The best way to reach the railway station is by taxi from the airport, which would take around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the level of traffic.

  • Car: Travelling to the major tourist destinations via car is the most time-consuming and expensive way. However, you can rent a car from Kannur Airport to locations like Wayanad, Coord, Kozhikode, Kasaragod etc.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, airport Kannur is situated in a very convenient location, from where it boasts good connectivity with the major destinations of Kerala. Besides, with a single terminal building, the airport operates both domestic and international flights and offers a host of facilities for passengers. Nevertheless, the airport could be expanded to a certain limit within the upcoming years, increasing the level of convenience and security for the passengers.

FAQs About Kannur Airport

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the details of airport Kannur:

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Are there accommodations available near Kannur airport?

Yes, there are several accommodation options available near Kannur airport. You can select from the luxury or budget hotels at your convenience.

How far is Kannur airport from the city?

Kannur airport is around 28 km away from the city centre.

What are the related codes of Kannur Airport?

Kannur Airport code is CNN.

Can we buy electronics from the duty-free shops inside the Kannur airport?

Yes, you can purchase electronic devices or gadgets from the duty-free shops available inside Kannur airport for the passengers.

What is the check-in time at Kannur airport?

The check-in time at Kannur Airport is 45 minutes prior to the flights in case of domestic departures and 180 minutes prior to the flights in case of international departures.

How can we reach Kannur airport from Mattanur?

You can reach Kannur airport from Mattanur via bus from the Mattanur bus terminal which is around 5 km away from the airport.

What is the nearest airport to Kannur?

The nearest airport to Kannur city is Kannur International Airport, which is around 28 km from the city centre.

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