New Delhi: The Union Minister for Civil Aviation H.S. Puri on Saturday night reiterated that the Calicut Airport is safe. Speaking to the media persons he said responding to fears expressed over Calicut Airport and the controversy over whether this airfield is suited for wide-body operations.

An inquiry into the accident has been order and cautioned against coming to instant conclusions regarding the airport of this particular mishap, he said. Some of my colleagues in the political system have raised queries regarding Kozhikode air accident without asserting facts, he added. It is indeed a fact that several issues were routinely red flagged by DGCA and was addressed by the airport operator. These pertain to excessive rubber deposits, water stagnation, cracks and other issues, raising such concerns normal work of DGCA also strictly ensures that these are rectified under all circumstances, said Minister.

Most importantly, as in case of Kozhikode accident, an inquiry has been order under air craft act, black boxes of flight IX 1344 have been recovered. I will encourage all to exercise patients and refrain from making speculative observations bordering on the irresponsible, he said. About the controversy over allowing of wide body aircraft at Calicut in 2018 after being barred in 2015 due to safety fears, the Minister said that the Air India Express plane which had met with the mishap on Friday was a narrow body.

As far as wide body aircrafts are concerned, the DGCA had carried out a thorough assessment and prescribed comprehensive mitigation measures. Airforce Authority of India strengthened runway and thereafter permissions were issued in 2018 for operating wide body aircrafts. Consequently, certain carriers started operating some flights with wide body aircrafts. Instant Civil Aviation Safety expertise by self-styled experts should better be avoided, said Minister.