NEDUMBASSERY: Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is all set to take up multifaceted development schemes amounting to Rs 120 crore. The projects include commissioning of Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) , expansion of international and domestic terminals, construction of additional aprons, first phase of golf course, improvement of facilities in the emigration wing, launching of an Aviation Academy and introduction of industrial park. CIAL has also proposed better marketing of CIAL as a tourist destination and a cargo hub. International seminars and airport revenue conferences will be the additional programmes to update technology and boost the income of the airport. Addressing a press conference, Minister S Sarma, member of the Board of Directors of CIAL, said that the full fledged CPC, a Rs 13.2 crore project, would be inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on February 2. The CPC, spread over a 22,000 sq ft area, will handle 25,000 tonnes of cargo in a year.
The state-of-the-art infrastructure and fully automated system of CPC will ensure the export of farm products which will benefit farmers of Kerala and neighbouring states as the products will reach international markets afresh. Farmers will get better price for the produce, Sharma said. CIAL managing director C G Krishnadas Nair said that the airport could generate income by providing parking facilities, especially at night, for the aircraft of various airlines. The construction of three more parking bays is fast progressing. The airport will be operational next month. One bay will be used exclusively for cargo operations, he said.
The expansion work of the international terminal will be completed by May. The total area of the International Departure block will be 4,80,000 sq ft with a spacious Duty Free Shop on 60,000 sq ft area. The domestic terminal will be expanded to cater to the future growth in air traffic. The first phase of the 9 hole golf course attached to a country club will be commissioned within 8 months. The membership drive will begin within three months. CIAL has also geared to meet the expense of additional officers for emigration duty. Passengers often find it extremely difficult to stand in serpentine queues for emigration clearance due to shortage of personnel in the emigration wing in the airport. The Government has allotted 50 sub inspectors for this and 30 have already joined. The ambitious Aviation Academy of CIAL will be launched next academic year. CIAL has approached the Director General of Civil Aviation for starting various courses in aircraft maintenance. The certificate, diploma and degree courses in the Aviation Academy will provide ample job opportunities for young aspirants. The fee for the courses will be affordable, say the Board members. Classes will be handled by experienced and renowned faculty. The CIAL is pursuing discussion with the Industrial Department for the reconsideration of the proposal for setting up an SEZ for aerospace- related industries. As part of a marketing drive, a special seminar with charter flight operators and tour operators will be convened within a couple of months. A workshop on Industrial Opportunities in Aerospace, Defence and Public Sector Undertakings will be organised in the last week of February. At present there is no dedicated cargo flight to any airport in Kerala. Most of the air cargo is to Bangalore or Chennai from where it is sent to various destinations in Kerala. CIAL is planning to develop itself as a cargo hub to attract cargo flights to Kochi, and with this aim a seminar is being proposed with cargo operators and experts in the field. An International Airport Conference will be convened during the first week of May in association with other private airports, the Airport Authority of India and the Airport Council International. Regarding introduction of Users Fee, the decision will be taken by the Board of Directors in its next meeting. The meeting of the Board scheduled on January 27 will decide the proposal for the posting of some more officers in the airport and the scheme for land utilisation.