Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), India's fourth largest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, is on an expansion drive with a ten in year growth plan in line. Handling over 3.5 million passengers in a year and 820 flight movements per week, this true gateway of God's Own Country, it has already embarked on an array of diversification activities too. The CIAL academy, CIAL Airport based SEZ and MRO, CIAL Golf and Country Club, CIAL Tour Dept, Airport Museum, International Trade Fair and Exhibition Center, Viewing Gallery, Airport Mall, Multiplex, Amusement Park and Garden are real testimonies to novel diversities. Positioned as an environment friendly facility giving emphasis on the environmental protection and pollution control, it has become the pride of Kerala and a model airport in the country.
The growth plan envisages expansion and modernization of terminals, facility enhancement for passengers and airlines, building world class lounges and duty free shops, developing airport as a tourist hub, encouraging charter flights, establishing a heli-taxi system and a network of helipad linking airports, townships, wild life resorts, health and beach resorts and pilgrimage centres of Kerala.
The proposed Trade Fair Center will have three large halls of 3,500 sq. mtr space each with large open air space and car parking facility. The CIAL Academy and CIAL AME Institute train and certify technicians and provide Advance Degree and Diploma and Post Graduate Programme in Airport Design and Construction, Operations and Aviation Business Management. With the kind of expertise and infrastructure it has, CIAL academy will provide hands on experience in the field of aviation technology and management in collaboration with the world's largest university, IGNOU, and will aim to establish accreditation with International Aviation Organizations such as IATA, ICAO etc, to make our young people employable worldwide. The aim is to develop and evolve as a centre of excellence for various career oriented learning.
It also plans to develop a cargo hub for Kerala and neighboring regions. A Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) has been commissioned with 2100 sq.m. area and capacity to handle 25000 tonnes of perishable cargo per year. This will enhance development of herbal, floral and horticulture and export of these and other farm products.
The Cochin International Airport based Industrial Park Project proposed by CIAL has received the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status from Govt of India. Union Ministry of Commerce had granted SEZ status for 250 acres of CIAL property covering the industrial park project site, a major area of the Maintenance Hanger, Science Park and the Airport Museum. CIAL has already started inviting aerospace companies and entrepreneurs to set up industrial units in the project site. The invitation, issued along with a layout of the proposed industrial park, offers developed plots of half an acre in single or multiple units on a long term lease for various Indian and overseas and joint venture companies.
Jacob Antony is an eminent analyst and writer in Kerala Travel & Kerala Tourism related topics. He has authored many websites on tour guide for Kerala Tourism and Kerala Tour. Find his more Articles at http://www.keralaholidays247.com
