Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) registered record growth in passenger volumes in the last financial year, crossing the 5 million mark, the only airport in Kerala to achieve this distinction.
The airport at Nedumbassery, 28 km north-east of Kochi, handled 5.39 million passengers in 2013-14, an increase of 10 per cent from the 2012-13 level, CIAL said in a press release.
International passengers increased 11.5 per cent to about 3.27 million, while there was a 7.8 per cent growth in domestic passengers, according to the release.
V J Kurian, founder and Managing Director of CIAL, said the strength of the company lies in providing passengers international class services in a cost-effective manner.
"We have always been adhering to this vision. Our aim...Is to make this airport the hub of air traffic in south India," he said.
The airport, which started operations in 1999, was the first in the country to be built with public participation. CIAL is building an international terminal at Rs 850 crore to gear up for expansion, airport director ACK Nair said.
In 2013-14, the airport recorded 47,072 aircraft movements, which was 13.32 per cent higher than the previous financial year.
At present, 19 international carriers and six domestic carriers operate from Cochin airport. They together operate 963 weekly schedules, which include 35 each to destinations such as Sharjah and Dubai and 21 services to Abu Dhabi, the release added.
CIAL's cargo division recorded growth of 17 per cent to 54,440 tonnes from 46,530 tonnes in 2012-13. Perishable cargo volumes increased more than 22 per cent. CIAL had built a high-end, air-conditioned warehouse a few years ago to handle perishable cargo.
