THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Aug 20, 2005
Asha Malik
NRI press
India's youngest with modern facilities
Cochin International Airport located at Nedumbassery,
about 30 kms off Kochi (Cochin) city. Tthis is the
first airport in India that was constructed with private
participation of 10,000 NRI investors from 30 countries
Now 70 flights operate in and out of this Airport
daily connecting all major cities across India and
International destinations like Dubai, Sharjah, Chicago,
Colombo, Singapore and more. Malaysia Airlines , King
Fisher, Air Deccan, Paramount Airlines, Go Air, and
Mahan Air are expected to launch their operations
to the airport soon.
Cochin International Airport is a novel venture in
the history of civil aviation in India where Government
of Kerala, NRIs, Travelling Public, Financial Institutions,
Airport Service Providers and others joined hands
in the equity structure. This is the first International
Airport in the country outside the ambit of the Government
of India. This airport has been constructed to enable
any type of wide bodied aircraft to land with state
of the art facilities.
The Airport site is very close and centrally located
to all three National Highways passing through Kerala.
(NH 47, NH 17, NH 49). The main Railway line from
Kanyakumari to Delhi is adjacent to the airport and
it is situated between Alwaye and Angamaly Railway
Stations. The Cochin Sea Port, one of the biggest
in the country is also situated close by. The Cochin
Airport would certainly boost International trade,
tourism and enhance the country's image.
The Cochin International Airport Limited is managed
by the Government representatives, industralists,
NRI's from 30 countries and representatives of financial
institutions. The ground handling at the airport is
done by Air India.The Airport is also suitable for
operations of wide bodied Boeing - 747 type of Aircraft.
The Airport has been planned in phases on a modular
basis , to suit future requirements and also to minimize
the initial investments so as to generate revenue
at the earliest possible time.
Cochin International Airport is the first green field
airport in private sector in India, planned and constructed
from scratch and capable of expansion on a modular
basis. Around 1500 acres of land was acquired for
the airport and the airport has been constructed with
facilities matching International Standards.
The total project cost for the airport is around Rs.
315 Crores financed through a paid up equity capital
of Rs. 85 Crores and Term Loan of Rs. 218 Crores.
The balance has been tied up through interest free
security deposits from various airport service providers.
The project cost is very low compared to the cost
of other similar airports.
Cochin is strategically located in the international
air map. Three major international air routes intersect
near Cochin. The 3400 meter long runway of Cochin
Airport is capable of handling any type of aircraft
including the most modern JUMBO. There are two separate
centrally air-conditioned terminals for domestic and
international operations measuring a total area of
around 4.5 lakh sq.ft. the integrated cargo complex
at the airport is capable of handling perishable/non
perishable and dangerous cargo.
CIAL has started duty free operations from May 2002
onwards. All the pre-opening activities in this regard
including clearances from various authorities had
been obtained. The management of the Duty Free Shop
is entrusted with M/s Alpha Retail, UK who are one
of the renowned Duty Free Operators in the world.
The ground handling operations at the airport are
carried by Air India, M/s Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited is operating a state of the art Hydrant Refueling
System for the aircraft's calling at this airport.
The airport company has at its disposal, around 400
acres of land in prime location for commercial deployment
. a comprehensive plan to develop an airport township
with all facilities to enable the company to earn
substantial non-aeronautical revenue is being worked
out.
