Airport Authority of India (AAI) expects to tap more revenue from existing commercial spaces at the Coimbatore International Airport, with the completion of a slew of renovation works.
The renovation works inside the terminal building are over and eight shops are operational now.
Airport Director R. Mahalingam said that a leading vegetarian restaurant chain would soon open its outlet in the terminal. Another restaurant chain would follow suit with hot and cool beverages, snacks and bakery items.
Revenue
At present, AAI is earning a revenue of ₹11 lakh per month from the shops operating inside the terminal.
“Unlike previous years, the whole commercial space available inside the terminal was given on rent to a single contractor through proper channel, a practice followed in main airports. The contractor will find clients and sell the space,” said Mr. Mahalingam.
He said that AAI does not have plans to create more commercial space inside the existing terminal as it would further reduce the space available for checked-in passengers.
However, creating new space was possible outside the terminal where the canopy was constructed.
Shops that were functioning outside the terminal, before the construction of canopy, would be built again at the same place. At least three shops that operated in front of the terminal were removed. As the new canopy would be spread over an area of 4,000 square metre, commercial spaces would be developed outside the terminal.
According to Mr. Mahalingam, special focus would be given in developing the parking space at the airport.The agency which holds the contract to operate the two-wheeler and four-wheeler parking areas at the airport pays AAI ₹19 lakh per month.
“Providing parking space will be our main concern as the airport registered 14.19 % growth in total passenger traffic during the fiscal that ended in March. Demand for parking is expected to increase,” he said.
