Airport
Kchi Ryma Airport
Cochin International Airport (COK)
The Cochin International Airport serves the city of Kochi, a prominent hub of commercial activity in Kerala. It is, therefore, the busiest airport in Kerala, and features among India’s major aviation hubs. It is located in the Nedumbassery region, at a distance of 28 km to the north-east of Kochi.
Built in 1936 during the pre-independence period, it was initially a small airstrip used by British officials. After independence, it was used by the Indian Navy, with a few civilian flights also operating. In 1999, the Cochin International Airport was inaugurated at a new site and is now fully operational with domestic and international air traffic.
The Cochin International Airport is one of the first Greenfield airports in India built under a public-private partnership. It has earned much appreciation for its eco-friendly infrastructure and efforts towards environment sustainability. It has won several prestigious awards such as EPC World Award 2013 for Outstanding Contribution in Airport Infrastructure and the Kerala State Energy Conservation Award in 2013, among others. It has also featured in case studies by eminent institutes such as Harvard University, IIM Calicut, and IIM Ahmedabad.
Flight Information
The Cochin International Airport boasts of excellent connectivity with various destinations across India and the world. Flights are available for major domestic cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi. Of these, the two most popular sectors are Kochi to Mumbai and Kochi to Bengaluru. The Cochin Airport also has regular flights to international cities like Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Riyadh, and many others. Kochi to Dubai and Kochi to Abu Dhabi are among the most popular international routes.
A large number of domestic airlines such as IndiGo, Go Air, and Jet Airways serve passengers at the Cochin International Airport. Some of the international airline brands operating at the airport include Air Arabia, Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
Terminals
The Cochin International Airport houses two terminals dedicated to passenger flights. The domestic terminal handles the arrivals and departures of domestic flights and has the capacity to host 400 incoming and outgoing passengers each at a given time. The entire overseas passenger traffic is handled at the international terminal. It has a total passenger capacity of 1200 during peak hours. The terminals are located within a distance of 100 m.
Traveling in and Around
Pre-paid taxi and car rental booths are placed at various points in the airport. Arriving passengers may book cabs for traveling to Kochi and its nearby areas. KSRTC buses provide inter-city service to passengers traveling from nearby cities. The city buses are an affordable option for traveling between the city center and the airport. Paid parking services may be used by passengers who wish to drive to the airport.
Services and Facilities
The Cochin International Airport is equipped with numerous facilities that ensure a pleasant experience for its travelers. Emergency medical services such as first-aid and a medical inspection room are available at the airport. It also houses a childcare room for the convenience of passengers traveling with families. Free porter services are provided to passengers with reduced mobility, senior citizens, and unaccompanied minors, along with special staff assistance.
Those traveling for work may avail of the airport’s business center, which provides useful facilities such as Internet access, photocopy, print and fax facilities. Conference halls for hosting business meets are also available. Transit passengers with long waiting periods may use the airport’s transit lounge. Travelers may also book the Meet and Greet service for professional guidance at the airport.
The airport offers a number of other services such as free Wi-Fi, telephone booths, free luggage trolleys, baggage wrapping, tourist information counters and help desks, among others.
Things to Do
To ensure an enjoyable experience for passengers, the Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) offers several leisure activities. Its shopping arcade houses a range of articles, including souvenirs, traditional handicrafts, handy travel accessories and books to help passengers enjoy a pleasant journey. International travelers may shop for various items such as perfumes, cosmetics, sweets, and gadgets at the duty-free stores.
Passengers waiting for longer intervals may enjoy golfing at the CIAL Golf and Country Club’s all-weather golf course. The CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre, located next to the airport, is also worth visiting.
Accommodation
In-house guest rooms in standard, deluxe, and suite sizes are available at the Cochin International Airport. Luxury accommodation is available near the airport at Flora Airport Hotel, Hotel Elite Palazzo, and other such hotels. Air View Residency and Palace Inn offer a pleasant stay to those traveling on a budget.
Helpful Tips
Passengers are advised to arrive before the specified time as security checks and other processes may cause delays
Check your luggage to ensure that it does not contain any of the restricted items to avoid hassles at customs
Nearby Attractions
One of the fastest growing commercial hubs in India, Kochi is also renowned for its cultural heritage. It, therefore, attracts travelers of all kinds in large numbers. Some of the must-visit attractions in Kochi are Fort Cochin, Dutch Palace, and Jewish Synagogue. The Marine Drive Ground, Indo-Portuguese Museum, and Vasco Da Gama Church are some of the places to visit near the airport.
FAQs
- What are the top airline brands that operate from airport frequently? The top airline brands that operate from airport frequently are – Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and All Nippon.
- What is the airport code for airport? The IATA code for the airport is KCZ.
- What are the most frequent routes from airport? The most popular sectors from airport are Kochi to Tokyo with 568 weekly flights respectively.
- When does the first flight leave from airport? The first flight from to Tokyo is at 7:10 AM, which is Japan Airlines airline 490 followed by Japan Airlines 490 which leaves at 7:15 AM.
- When does the last flight leave from airport? Japan Airlines 498 to Tokyo is the last flight that departs from airport at 7:15 PM.