Kochi (COK) | Cochin International Airport

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Dude, that has nothing to do with the CIAL and its developments. You need to study a little on the SEZ rules, thats all.

SEZ's are classified on various merits. If Kochi airport develops SEZ, it should be a sector specified SEZ, or else it would be called an IT SEZ rather than airport SEZ!!

I don't need to look laws and regulations, but I am sure that a senior IAS official like V.J Kurien, or those two Puppet MDs (both being IAS Officials) or an experienced management guy like S.Bharat or a reputed Aviation expert who heads several board of directors of leading companies like C.G Krishnadas or the long serving management expert like ACK Nair, knows well about SEZ laws as well as how frequent policies changes can affect CIAL's growth.

Being in this sector, all these people knows well about all possibilities and even loopholes. After all, it doesn't require planning from 2002 till 2009, to know Indian SEZ laws. Just a reference with a corporate lawyer in 2002, will help CIAL to know, whether they are permit to operate Airport SEZ with industries not related to Aviation.........

[basilbaby1990]

Originally Posted by jobinjoseph

As per 09DEC10 GDS timetable display, SriLankan Airlines has postponed planned service resumption on Colombo – Kochi (India) route. Daily Airbus A320 service was planned to resume from 01FEB11, but this is now being postponed, with new resumption date effective 01MAR11.

Operational schedule remains the same at this moment:

UL165 CMB0725 – 0835COK 320 x367
UL167 CMB1420 – 1530COK 320 367

UL166 COK0925 – 1035CMB 320 x367
UL168 COK1620 – 1730CMB 320 367

Source:

http://airlineroute.net/2010/12/09/u...11/#more-27817

just 1 more month for March and still there is no updates on this news.Any news??

[jobinjoseph]

Good News!!!

KUWAIT Airways is starting daily service in KUWAIT-KOCHI route from 27MAR2011. That means there will be additional 4 serivces.


Source:
http://airlineroute.net/2011/01/26/ku-s11/#more-29185

http://www.centreforaviation.com/routes/

[jobinjoseph]

Originally Posted by basilbaby1990

just 1 more month for March and still there is no updates on this news.Any news??

Basil,

Srilankan's KOCHI-COLOMBO service is once again postponed. Its now scheduled to start on 17 MAR 2011.

Source:
http://airlineroute.net/2011/01/25/s...11/#more-29148

[Malayaali]

CIAL plan to popularise helicopter travel in State

As part of its efforts to promote helicopter tourism and enabled services through helicopter travel in the State, Cochin International Airport Limited is organising a seminar on Helicopter Tourism and Heliport Operations on February 15.

The event, to be conducted in association with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Rotary Wings Society of India, will bring together the various helicopter operators, aviation regulatory authorities and the stake holders in the tourism sector on a single platform.

According to CIAL, there is a great potential for helicopter travel by connecting cities, tourist spots and other pilgrimage centres in the State and it can also be used for emergency medical services.

It also pointed out that the activities connected with chopper services could create employment.

The event will deliberate on a variety of topics ranging from the economic viability of helicopter operations in Kerala to heli-MRO opportunities.

CIAL has been embarking on a proposal to develop an exclusive ‘heli-hub' at the airport and is set to commence the works on a dedicated ‘helicopter terminal' along with six helipads on its operational area.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanadan will lay the stone for the project in the later half of February.

A blueprint of the requisite infrastructure and regulatory approvals for connecting the airport with the various religious and tourist spots will be prepared after a detailed survey across the State.

“The plan is to tap the growing market for helicopters among the tourists by ensuring the availability by making the provision for the parking of at least six helicopters here'', said C.G. Krishnadas Nair, Managing Director of CIAL.

The Hindu

[jobinjoseph]

Originally Posted by jobinjoseph

Good News!!!

KUWAIT Airways is starting daily service in KUWAIT-KOCHI route from 27MAR2011. That means there will be additional 4 serivces.


Source:
http://airlineroute.net/2011/01/26/ku-s11/#more-29185

http://www.centreforaviation.com/routes/

Once again, strategy of Air India Express is surprising… They are cutting down the frequencies every year and the reason given is low traffic.. Now Kuwait Airways is adding wide body aircrafts A300-600 and A310-300 in KOCHI route. There will be an additional 860 seats (approx.) available every week.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by jobinjoseph

Once again, strategy of Air India Express is surprising… They are cutting down the frequencies every year and the reason given is low traffic.. Now Kuwait Airways is adding wide body aircrafts A300-600 and A310-300 in KOCHI route. There will be an additional 960 seats (approx.) available every week.

Though Kuwait Airways only worthy to compare with AIE, still I am happy to hear increased flights, so that people like us, can reach fast home.

Infact AIE is hopless. There was no need of AIE at all, as we need to pay more fare than Air India and gets nothing from there, along with all other regular Air India's traditional hungamas like Delays etc...........

I wish Jet Airways to reconsider its old route- Kochi-Kuwait which was a real break from two hopeless carriers- KWA and AIE

[mohammedirshad06]

A racket is operating in collusion with the cargo staff of the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) at Nedumbassery to ship several chemicals falling under ‘dangerous goods’ to the Gulf countries without adhering to the norms.

Sources revealed that chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and boric acid are in high demand in hospitals across the Gulf and the racket has been cashing in on this demand for quite a long time.

The packets of hydrogen peroxide that leaked while being loaded into a passenger aircraft the other day were said to be part of the consignment belonging to the racket which was cleared by the cargo staff.
Earlier, a consignment of boric acid was also seized after it was loaded into an aircraft for shipment. In both the cases, the clandestine shipment was revealed after the chemicals got leaked accidentally.

Customs officials said if the chemicals had not leaked, the modus operandi of the racket would not have come out in the open. The officials said they cannot rule out the operation of a racket at the airport. “The cargo is basically handled by the security staff of CIAL who are trained by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS),” the official said.

Sources familiar with the activities of the racket said “both the chemicals are available cheaply in Kerala when compared to the Gulf countries. The racket used to ship these chemicals to the Gulf after giving wrong declaration at the airport. “Insiders are at the cargo section to help the racket by giving clearance to the consignment,” the sources said. They said the procedures involved for shipping chemicals that come under the ‘dangerous goods category were strict and costly” and so they adapted illegal methods to ship them.

Sources said that while a kilogram of hydrogen peroxide cost around `62 in Kochi, it fetched around `300 to `400 (approximately 33 Saudi Riyals and 3 Bahrain Dinars) in the Gulf. Similarly, a kilogram of boric acid fetched around `400 in the Gulf when the price of it was around `70 in Kochi. CIAL Deputy Customs Commissioner S Nasser Khan said they normally check the consignment only when the cargo staff alert about any suspicious material.
“We thoroughly check the contents when there is a specific Intelligence input. It is not possible to check each and every consignment as it causes inordinate delay. If we decide to thoroughly check all the consignment, the shippers will complain about harassment by the Customs.

The Customs will be more strict in checking the consignments arriving for shipment.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/...nt/243240.html

'

A catastrophe was averted on Wednesday morning when the airline officials of Qatar Airways (QR 267) noticed thick smoke emanating from a consignment seconds before loading it into the aircraft with 156 passengers and nine crew at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL).
The consignment contained chemicals which fall under the category of ‘highly dangerous material’. A loading staff member was reportedly given medical aid after he suffocated from inhaling the smoke.
The airport officials said the consignment was part of a cargo containing 100 packets of ‘medical equipment’ booked for shipment by Thrissur-based Infra Scientific.
On noticing the smoke, the airport officials immediately removed the consignment from the spot. The incident occurred when the loading staff had already loaded 98 packets into the aircraft which was readying for take off to Doha. The authorities also unloaded the entire consignment from the aircraft. The incident occurred when the airport was under tight security on account of Republic Day. The officials said the consignment reportedly contained ‘hydrogen peroxide’ and the package was found damaged. They said the shipper had submitted a wrong declaration as he had not revealed that the consignment contained ‘hydrogen peroxide’, which was under ‘dangerous goods’. The flight left the airport at 9.10 am, 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time. There are allegations that the X-ray screening was reportedly carried out callously to clear the consignment and do favour to the shipper.
The Qatar Airways is learnt to have informed the incident to its head quarters in Doha. The airways has demanded CIAL to conduct a proper inquiry and blacklist the shipper.

I fail to understand, whats wrong with CIAL Cargo wing. This is second time, such a major mishap reported from CIAL, especially when Cochin is planning for country's first Air Transhipment terminal. Such news is not good for Kochi. I believe some vested interests lobby is playing strong, to see CIAL not-able to take off its announced projects.

Really a bad news, especially for a major airport like CIAL

[Malayaali]

CIAL Golf & Country Club (CGCC)









Source:kochiservnet

Members allotted as per early bird scheme
Individual Membership(Rs 2 lakh + taxes) - 1350
Corporate Membership(Rs 6 lakh + taxes) - 20

Golf Club Brochure

Only 18 hole Golf Course in the state. 2nd phase construction under progress, expected to complete by 2013.

[Roy Joseph]

Mathrubhumi News!!!!

Federal Bank Priority Banking Customers can use VIP Lounge facility at CIAL. Priority Banking Customers travelling to international destinations can collect the admit ticket from the Federal Bank Money Exchange Centre at the airport..

Source:
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/business/...al-158498.html
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa...ational/1/20/1

[Malayaali]

Heli-Tourism seminar at CIAL

A seminar on the prospects of Heli-Tourism in the state will be conducted at CIAL today. Helicopter operators, owners and tourism delegates will attend the seminar.

This is part of the Heliport being constructed in CIAL. CIAL plans to develop Heli-tourism by providing helicopter services to various tourist spots in the state.

Mathrubhumi

[Malayaali]

Eurocopter's aircrafts to help boost Kerala's economic development

With plans to promote Cochin as the heli hub for travel between cities in the state of Kerala, Eurocopter introduces the AS350 B3 Ecureuil and EC130 B4 helicopters that will best meet the needs in the areas of heli-tourism and emergency medical services.

Eurocopter India, the Indian subsidiary of the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, participated in a seminar on “Heli Tourism and Heliport Operations” organized by Cochin International Airport in association with Kerala State Tourism Development Corporation and Rotary Wings Society of India. In this one-day seminar held today at the Cochin Airport, head of Eurocopter India Bangalore office, Mr. Rohit Kumar, highlighted two helicopter models which are the world reference for heli-tourism and HEMS (helicopter emergency medical services) – the AS350 B3 Ecureuil and the EC130 B4. These helicopters are popular across the world for their technical capabilities as well as reliability and high performance levels.

Undoubtedly a leader in heli-tourism, 63% of the world turbine engine heli-tourism fleet is Eurocopter helicopters. More significantly, Eurocopter contributed 92 of the 96 global deliveries in the last 10 years - a clear sign of increasing market share and recognition for Eurocopter helicopters in heli-tourism.

Business Standard

[Malayaali]

Eurocopter makes Kochi a heli hub

Eurocopter has introduced AS350 B3 Ecureuil and EC130 B4 helicopters in Kerala to promote Kochi as the heli hub for travel between cities in the State.

Eurocopter India's head, Mr Rohit Kumar, said these helicopters will meet the needs in the areas of heli-tourism and emergency medical services.

Both the AS350 B3 Ecureuil and the EC130 B4 are highly adaptable for both heli-tourism and emergency medical services, said a statement. “They can be quickly reconfigured from passenger transport to HEMS – the replacement of seats with stretchers and medical equipment can be done in just five minutes,” it added.

At present, India has three customers for these helicopters. Three of the rotary-wing aircraft were ordered by Global Vectra, taking its fleet to seven AS350 B3s; while Summit Aviation and SS Aviation purchased one each. These helicopters will be used for the purpose of heli-skiing, aerial work, passenger transport, HEMS and several others.

The AS350 B3 Ecureuil is currently flying tourists to places such as Vaishno Devi, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Amarnath. Most recently, Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd equipped an AS350 B3 with cameras and relay equipment for TV broadcasts during the recent Commonwealth Games.

Eurocopter inaugurated its Indian subsidiary in October 2010. It currently has 23 civil and government customers operating its helicopter products in India. These rotary-wing aircraft perform duties ranging from the support of offshore oil and gas drilling to VIP, corporate and passenger transportation.

In addition, Eurocopter is also working with Indian institutions, companies and associations to develop areas such as law enforcement, helicopter emergency medical services, disaster management and utility.

The Hindu Businessline
Eurocopter

[Malayaali]

Kingfisher commences Kochi - Colombo service

Kingfisher airlines is starting their first international service from Cochin to Colombo from march 7. The daily service will Cochin at 8.45 in the morning and will depart at 9.35. On Sundays, the flight will reach Cochin at 2.15pm and departs at 3.25pm.

Manorama

[Malayaali]

CIAL for partnership with Lakshwadweep

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) will hold hands with Lakshwadweep to promote tourism using Helicopter services. Agreement on this will be signed soon. Lakshwadweeep was promoted as the most favourable place for Heli-tourism in the recently held seminar at CIAL.

Deepika

[Malayaali]

‘State has potential for setting up heli-network'

Kerala has the potential for development of a heli-network across the State with 60 helipads at various locations and the Cochin international airport acting as the hub.

This was discussed at a seminar on ‘Heli Tourism and Heliport Operations' organised by Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) here on Tuesday as part of promoting heli-tourism in the State.

Regulatory approvals

The event, which brought helicopter operators, aviation regulatory authorities and stakeholders in the tourism sector on a single platform, also focussed on the requisite infrastructure build-up and regulatory approvals for connecting the airport with various religious and tourist spots. Administrator of the Lakshadweep islands J.K. Dadoo, who inaugurated the event, underlined the role of heli-operations in improving tourism and sortie movements and offered all possible assistance to the helicopter operators for launching services to the group of islands.

Mr. Dadoo said there was a need to maintain the fragile ecology of the area and suggested that private operators coming to the islands tie up with the State operator Pawan Hans so as to ensure efficient operations.

CIAL Managing Director C.G. Krishnadas Nair said there was a great scope for helicopter travel by connecting cities, tourist spots and other pilgrimage centres in the State.

Vital role

The CIAL looked forward to playing a vital role in ensuring a seamless travel network involving airlines, helicopters and other players in the industry.

He said the airport would act as the hub of inter-State and intra-State helicopter services by setting up a dedicated heli-port having six parking bays and other ancillary facilities.

Dedicated MRO facility

A presentation by the airport company announced the setting up of a dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for helicopters with an operational area of 2,500 sq m, connection to the taxiway and access from the city side.

The allotment of the facility will be on a royalty basis with a lease period of 30 years.

The presentation said the demand for helicopter services in the State was on the increase with the airport here alone having 34,000 potential heli- users per year.

Rotary Wing Society of India president Krishnaswami Sreedharan, Managing Director of Lakeshore Hospital Philip Augustine and Euro-copter India representative Rohit Kumar spoke.

A number of presentations related to helicopter operations, including their economic viability and regulatory issues, were held.

The Hindu

[Malayaali]

ICCI office opened at Kochi airport

With the opening of an office of Cochin Chapter of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in Kochi Airport, the relation and dealings between the CIAL (Cochin International Airport Ltd) and ICCI would be strengthened, said CIAL Managing Director C G Krishnadas Nair here today.
He was inaugurating the office of ICCI in Kochi Airport premises. He recalled the contributions and support rendered by ICCI when the airport project was proposed.
With this the industry and commercial activities would be augmented increased with the presence of ICCI officials in the Airport. The passengers traveling abroad especially to Gulf Regions for business, industrial and commercial purpose have increased manifold. But passengers traveling in Business Class have not increased proportionally.
Krishnadas Nair said the International Convention Center would be completed within one year. He added that preliminary talks have been held with Lakshadweep Adminstrator for a tie up between Lakshwadeep Administration and CIAL to increase Tourism, Air connectivity and export of aqua-products. The Islands have great possibility in fish exports. The Center for Perishable Cargo (CPC) in Kochi Airport could be exploited for the export of fish products from Lakshadweep.
Night parking facility will be provided in Kochi Airport for the aircrafts from Lakshadweep. Krishnadas Nair said CIAL has plans to operate Amphibian Aircrafts for better connectivity to all islands in Lakshadweep.
ICCI Kochi president P Prathapachandran, vice president P L Prakash James, secretary M C Rajeev, past presidents David T Mookkan, N P Ouseph, Bharat N Khona, Balagopala B Pai, Abraham Philip, C P Xavier, S Ramakrishnan spoke.
The ICCI office in Airport will expedite the cargo agents to get the certificate of Indian Origin and Invoice Attestation certificate.
Previously the agents had to get the certificates from the Island said ICCI president Prathapachandran.

Indian Express

[Malayaali]

Award for CIAL

CIAL has got special award for performance at the event of 100 years of Indian Aviation in New Delhi. CIAL MD was handed over the award by the aviation minister.

Manorama

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Kingfisher commences Kochi - Colombo service

Manorama

Its a good news, as we are going to have India's only 5 star airline operating an International flight from Kochi, which means they are going to have KF First and its premium ground services soon in Kochi.

I wonder, why they ignore another hot market of Kerala, Dubai. It would be nice to see KF starting a daily COK-DXB flight soon, as I have seen the passenger profile of KF BLR-DXB flight which most of them are Malayalee crowd either hailing from Northern Malabar regions or those who reach BLR from Kochi and Trivandrum via connecting KF Flights.

But let me profess, I didn't like KF service at all. Really its not in accordance to Indian tastes, be it their Inflight entertainment or their food or even the ambience. They have to seriously take care of this, because today even International carriers like Emirates, Etihad or what even BA is catering passengers with an Indian touch for all its flights India, in terms of food, entertainment. However KF seems to go opposite, by giving a cold European airline feel.

Hope they improve on that and lets welcome more flights of KF from Kochi. All the best for KF.

Any idea about announced Sri-lankan airlines flight from Kochi? I really miss Srilankan, which was really good, be in terms of services as well as in terms on savings.

[vinod/kakka]

All on an ATR :-)