Cochin International Airport Ltd has registered a 10 per cent growth in international passenger traffic and eight per cent in domestic travel during 2011-12.
As many as 47.23 lakh passengers (43.45 lakh) including international and domestic passengers travelled through CIAL.
The cargo movement through the Air Cargo Complex had also registered a growth in last fiscal touching 42,262 tonnes.
Of this, export cargo comprised 26,182 tonnes and imports 9,358 tonnes. CIAL had also handled 6,922 tonnes of domestic cargo.
The growth in passenger traffic and cargo movement at CIAL assumes significance at a time when the aviation sector in the country is currently passing through difficult times, senior officials said.
The establishment of Plant Quarantine Department by the Central Government at CIAL had also enabled the arrival of sufficient number of cargo to the airport from the neighbouring states.
Besides, the arrival of several chartered and non-scheduled flights at CIAL had also resulted in the growth of passenger traffic.
The airport had handled 53 international flights from this category and 152 tourist charter flights from domestic sector in 2011-12.
The decision of prominent business groups in Kerala to purchase business jets had also boosted the prospects of the CIAL.
Most of these flights are now parked and operated from the airport.
The officials said that the passenger traffic is likely to increase during this financial year with the commencement of Tiger Airways to Singapore from Kochi on April 28.