On April 13, Kozhikode Airport will celebrate its 37th birthday. On April 13, 1988, Vishu Day, Karipur’s airport was officially opened. On February 2, 2006, the airport, which had previously only offered domestic services, was granted international status. Hajj services have already begun in January 2002 from Karipur. For the Hajj service, Air India brought a big plane that can accommodate 410 passengers.

Kozhikode was the only Hajj departure location until 2014. From 2015 to 2018, the Hajj pilgrimage was moved to Kochi due to runway re-carpeting. In 2019, Karipur was designated as a Hajj departure center in addition to Kochi. Because of COVID, there was no Hajj pilgrimage in 2020 or 21. The Hajj departure center was once more moved to Kochi in 2022.

Kozhikode, Kochi, and Kannur will be the state’s three Hajj departure locations starting in 2023. To make room for the reintroduction of large aircraft, work is being done to expand the runway safety zone at Karipur. The return of large planes is Kozhikode Airport’s primary necessity. Along with improving other facilities and expanding the number of domestic and foreign services.