- The Kannur international Airport-KIAL in Kerala began its operations on December 9, 2018 with Union minister for civil aviation Suresh Prabhu and Kerala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan jointly lighting the lamp inside the terminal building, marking the inauguration of the airport.
- The chief minister and the Union Minister jointly flagged off the first flight from the Kannur Airport to Abu Dhabi at 10.10 am.
- With the Kannur airport becoming a reality, Kerala is the only state in the country with four international airports. Other international airports of Kerala are: Calicut, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur.
- During his keynote address Union minister for civil aviation, Suresh Prabhu said the Kannur airport will give major boost to trade, commerce, tourism, employment and export prospects in Kerala.
