Members :Cochin International Airport Limited – CIAL

Cochin International Airport is the first Greenfield airport setup in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in Civil Aviation infrastructure sector in India as a joint venture with Government of Kerala (13%), Central Government (13%) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) etc. as major shareholders (74%). The airport pioneered the concept of private investment in the airport sector after being incorporated as a public limited company, receiving investments from nearly 10,000 NRIs from 30 countries. 

Remarkably, it is the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

The airport started its operation on 25th May 1999, since then the traffic and revenue parameters have registered a steady growth. Located 28 km northeast of downtown Kochi, it ranks as the third busiest for international passengers and seventh largest overall in India. As of 2022, Cochin Airport handles 61.8% of Kerala’s total air passenger movement. CIAL is a winner of the prestigious ‘Champions of the Earth’ award instituted by United Nations for its pioneering effort which showed the world that it is possible for large power consumers like an airport to switch over to sustainable utility model for its energy needs. At present the total installed capacity of CIAL’s green energy initiatives is 50 MWp producing 200,000 units of power daily.  Cochin International Airport has seamlessly connected 31 countries, collaborating with 24 airlines and welcoming more than 10 million passengers annually to its world-class facilities.

Cochin International Airport has three main terminals: domestic, business jet and international terminals. The airport also has a domestic cargo terminal and international export and import cargo terminals.

Terminal 1 (Domestic) – The Domestic Terminal Complex has exclusive arrival and departure areas spread over a floor area of 6 lakshs sqft, with a peak hour passenger handling capacity of 2000 incoming and 2000 domestic outgoing passengers. It is fully integrated with all modern passenger amenities to cater to the domestic travellers to/from Cochin. With traditional Kerala style architecture and design, the airport ambience is warm and welcome, and at the same time, world-class. All domestic flights are handled through this complex.

Terminal 2 (Business Jet Terminal) – CIAL is the fourth airport in India with a terminal for business jets. The terminal is poised to provide customised services to charter and private jets. This terminal stands unique as it is India’s first Charter Gateway. This one-of-a-kind terminal integrates tourism, international summits, business conferences and the movement of high-net-worth individuals, also accentuates the idea of cost-effectiveness in the development of an elegant airport terminal. Spread in 40,000 sq ft, the business jet terminal will cater to international and domestic business jet operations with a ‘safe house’ facility for security-exempted persons. Besides, it comprises an exclusive private car parking space, a drive-in porch, a grand lobby, five opulent lounges, a business center, a duty-free shop, a foreign exchange counter and a high-end video conferencing room. Dedicated aircraft parking, professional terminal management and passenger handling including the shortest distance from car door to aircraft door, makes it a unique gateway terminal for promoting ‘Brand Kerala’ in other parts of the world.

Terminal 3 (International) – The new international Terminal 3 was opened to travellers in March 2017. The terminal has 5 entry gates, 84 check-in counters and 80 immigration counters. It is equipped with 10 escalators, 21 elevators, and 3 moving walkways. The terminal has a solar carport facility with a capacity of generating 2.7 MW power and can provide a parking facility for 1,400 cars. Along with the solar carport at the domestic Terminal 1, it is the largest solar carport in the world with a total capacity of 5.1 MW of power and a parking facility for 2,800 cars. With a total area of more than 150,000 m2 (1,614,587 sq ft), the terminal is built over 4 levels. The ground level handles arrivals. With a total ground area of around 41,156 m2 (442,999 sq ft), it has 10 customs counters, 3 bank counters, a shopping complex for the passengers and the general public, a VIP lounge, arrival duty-free shops and a baggage claim area. The second level (5.5 metres above ground level) also handles arrivals and is equipped with 30 immigration counters, 10 e-T-Visa counters, 5 health check counters, and 2 moving walkways. The third level (10.5 metres above ground level) is the departure facility area. It has a 20,836 m2 (224,277 sq ft) check-in area, 3 check-in islands having a total of 84 counters, 40 emigration counters, an 800-square-metre (8,611 sq ft) departure duty-free shop, 3 VIP reserved lounges, airline offices, 2 prayer rooms, and 1 moving walkway. The fourth level (15.5 metres above ground level) is the departure security hold area. With an area of more than 8,674 m2 (93,366 sq ft), it has a food court, restaurant, 3 airline executive lounges, smoking lounge, bar and reclining area.

– Link to CIAL website