This is the fourth international airport in the state, the rest are in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.
Hundreds of people, including politicians, were present to witness a cultural programme ahead of the take off of the Abu Dhabi flight.
Two more flights were listed for the day.
Flights that would operate from here include those to the UAE, Oman, Qatar, besides domestic ones to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai among others. The KIAL is slated to serve more than 1.5 million international passengers annually.
It is expected to boost tourism in Kannur, Kasargode, Wayanad and increase trade and commerce in the handloom and spices sectors. The airport would be able to handle 2,000 passengers at a time. (IANS)
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