Kochi: 2016 will be a crucial year for Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which has many firsts to its credit, including being the pioneer in resorting to the PPP model in building an airport and becoming the first solar-powered airport in the world.
The airport is gearing up for a big leap in infrastructure next year by opening the second international terminal and introducing a second instrument landing system - a first in the state - which will allow the aircraft to take off and touch down from both directions of the same runway at the airport.
Putting aside the flaws of the past, especially in connection with the ever-increasing smuggling cases through the airport, the state-of-the-art airport is on the path of steady growth. Last financial year, CIAL registered a record footfall of 64.5 lakh passengers, making it the first busiest terminal in the state and fourth busiest international terminal in the country.
Now, the airport is emerging as the third largest airport in the country in terms of international passenger handling when the statistics of the footfall of passengers in the first quarter of the fiscal have been announced.
Taking note of the huge leap in the volume of international traffic in recent years, CIAL has been constructing an additional international terminal at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. The civil work of the new facility has almost been completed.
The mechanical and interior works are being launched now with the awarding of tenders to major companies and the terminal is expected to be thrown open for traffic by May 25 next year, said CIAL authorities.
26/11/15 Dhinesh Kallungal/New Indian Express
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The airport is gearing up for a big leap in infrastructure next year by opening the second international terminal and introducing a second instrument landing system - a first in the state - which will allow the aircraft to take off and touch down from both directions of the same runway at the airport.
Putting aside the flaws of the past, especially in connection with the ever-increasing smuggling cases through the airport, the state-of-the-art airport is on the path of steady growth. Last financial year, CIAL registered a record footfall of 64.5 lakh passengers, making it the first busiest terminal in the state and fourth busiest international terminal in the country.
Now, the airport is emerging as the third largest airport in the country in terms of international passenger handling when the statistics of the footfall of passengers in the first quarter of the fiscal have been announced.
Taking note of the huge leap in the volume of international traffic in recent years, CIAL has been constructing an additional international terminal at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. The civil work of the new facility has almost been completed.
The mechanical and interior works are being launched now with the awarding of tenders to major companies and the terminal is expected to be thrown open for traffic by May 25 next year, said CIAL authorities.
26/11/15 Dhinesh Kallungal/New Indian Express
