CIAL sets records in Passenger volume

Crosses the mark  of  5 million

Kochi: Flouting the oddity of decline in aviation sector in  other parts  of  the country, Cochin  International Airport Limited (CIAL) has marked a record growth  in  passenger volume. The last fiscal figure in airport traffic has  made CIAL the only airport in Kerala which has crossed the magical number of 5 million pax a year.

Cochn International airport limited, the company that built the first ever airport with public participation has been showing consistent growth in  both passenger traffic and aircraft  movements  since its inception. The airport handled 5.39 million passengers  in 2013-14 fiscal,  which is 10.01 % above that of the 2012-13 fiscal. Also notable is that, international passengers exceeds the domestic passengers,  a trend which  shows the potentials  of the airport.  3.271m  is the figure of  international passengers who used the airport while 21.19 m is the figure of  the domestic  passengers. Cial has recorded 11.49 % growth in international passengers  and  7.8 % growth  in domestic passengers. In 2013-14, the airport recorded 47072 aircraft movements which is higher by 13.32 percent of what have had in previous financial year.

According to Mr.V.J.Kurian IAS, the founder managing  director of CIAL, the strength  of the  company  is    facilitating the passenger with international class service  at a cost effective  manner.  “….We have been always adhering to this vision. Our aim in larger prospective is that to make this airport as the hub of airtraffic in south india”..added Mr.Kurian.   Mr.A.C.K. Nair, airport director has nodded that, even though the present terminals have the capacity of handling sufficient passenger  volume, CIAL is building an  International terminal at a cost of 850 crores to address the challenges  in the future.

At present, 19 international carriers and six domestic carriers  are operating services from Cochin Airport.  They together operate 963 weekly schedules, which include 35 each to destinations like  Sharjah and  Dubai  and 21 services to Abudhabi.

hike in cargo  volume

CIAl cargo division is also recorded growth in the last fiscal. The total tonnage  increased by 17  percent compared to the last  fiscal. CIAL handled 54440.0 ton of cargo this year against  that  of  46530.3 ton  last year. The perishable cargo has witnessed a  growth rate of 22.19 percent,  thanks to the high end air-conditioned ware house built by CIAL a few years ago

Caption : 1.  Passengers in CIAL international terminal

2.V.J.Kurian IAS, MD,  Cial