In an attempt to match up to the passenger amenities offered by new-generation airports such as the Bangalore and Hyderabad airports, and envisaging the future growth in passenger traffic, the Cochin International Airport Limited here is all set to establish a new international terminal having a higher passenger-handling capacity.
According to top company officials, CIAL has worked out a proposal to develop a world-class workstation for international travel, roughly estimated to cost about Rs.250 crore.
The plan will be presented before the company Director Board on September 24 and the works on the project will begin soon after receiving its approval.
“The upcoming terminal will have the capacity to handle about 2,000 passengers an hour as against the 1,200-passengers capacity of the existing international terminal,'' a senior company official said.
After the launch of the new terminal, the existing international terminal will be converted into a domestic terminal while the present domestic terminal will be allotted for private executive jets and airport retailing activities.
Given the current rate of growth, the annual passenger traffic through CIAL is expected to reach 75 lakh from the current 43 lakh by the end of this decade.
According to officials, the numbers are set to increase further with CIAL proposing to open a direct route to Europe in March next year.
As part of it, the company has been in consultations with a number of international carriers, including Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, besides the national carrier Air India.
According to the officials, some of the airline companies have responded positively to its proposal and have agreed to consider Kochi while deciding their route addition plans on conducting a study on the passenger and cargo potential of the station.
“To attract these carriers, we propose reducing their airport expenses by offering concessions in landing, parking and other airport charges,” a top company official said.
As per the estimates available with the airport company, the number of passengers to the Western destinations was around 3,000 a week.
At present, passengers from Kochi are connected to non-stop flights to Europe or North America through other metro airports in the country or through Middle-Eastern destinations such as Qatar or Dubai.
