NEDUMBASSERY: Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) registered stupendous growth in passenger and aircraft movement during the first eight months of the 2006-07 financial year.

From April to November, 16,26,957 passengers passed through the airport, a growth of 38.25 per cent from the 11,76,817 during the corresponding period last fiscal.

Domestic passenger movement registered a growth of 59.19 per cent to 6,95,201 from 4,36,698. In the international sector, the growth was 25.89 per cent, from 7,40,119 to 9,31,756.

With a few more foreign airlines, among them budget carriers such as Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways, starting operations from the airport during the period, aircraft movement saw a phenomenal growth of 49.08 per cent. The number of services increased to 19,557 from the 13,118 during the corresponding period last fiscal. Domestic flight services registered a high growth of 80.73 per cent, from 5,708 to 10,316. Growth in international aircraft movement, though lower than that in the domestic sector, was substantial at 24.71 per cent, from 7,410 to 9,241.

Sales proceeds at the international duty-free shop registered a growth of 37.5 per cent. While sales during the entire 2005-06 financial year fetched Rs. 22.85 crore, it has already hit the Rs. 21-crore mark in the first eight months of this fiscal.

Projects in progress

Projects being implemented by the airport company are in advanced stages of completion. An air-conditioned perishable cargo centre being set up by the airport, in association with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, at a cost of Rs. 15.02 crore, is expected to be commissioned by mid-2007.

A parallel taxi track, expected to reduce the occupancy of the runway, thereby enabling smooth landing and takeoffs, is also scheduled to become operational then.

Work on the international departure block, with a built-up area of around 3 lakh sq. ft, is in full swing, and is expected to be completed by 2007-end. The new block will be able to handle 1,200 passengers during peak hours and end congestion at the existing departure terminal.

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