A modern international terminal at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) will soon become a reality. The Rs 450-crore terminal will be able to handle about 4,000 incoming and outgoing passengers during peak hours.
The State Excise Minister, K. Babu, unveiled the new terminal’s design based on Kerala’s temple architecture at a function at the airport.
Speaking to reporters, V.J. Kurien, Managing Director, CIAL, said the tendering process for the facility would commence in January. The facility will have a built up area of over 15 lakh square feet to handle about 10 million passengers each year.
The new terminal will cater to the passenger traffic demand up to 2025. The terminal will have 15 parking bays with full aerobridge connectivity.
As many as 56 check-in counters with a provision for 28 more, duty free shopping space of over 10,000 sq ft and four premium lounges for first and business class passengers and food courts are also on the anvil, he added.
He said that the company is confident of raising necessary finances on its own to fund the project. The project has already been submitted to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority and its clearance is expected soon.
The public could submit their comments and suggestions on the design of the new terminal. Unlike the existing terminals, the new international terminal will have two levels. The ground level will cater to arriving passengers and the upper level will handle all international departures, he added.