CIAL to be made aviation industry hub, says Pinarayi

The Kerala government’s aim is to transform the Cochin International Airport into a comprehensive aviation industry hub rather than a centre of air traffic operations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Monday. He was inaugurating phase 1 of the Aero Park project of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

The Chief Minister said facilities worth ₹101 crore were being readied by CIAL as part of the first phase of the project. They include aircraft hangars, aircraft parking facilities, storage facilities, conference halls, and advanced technical support units.

“Once the system becomes a reality, it will generate 2,000 direct employment opportunities and offer indirect jobs to 6,000 people,” he said.

The event also marked the launch of CIASL Business Centre, a premium co-working space, technical services facility, and an aviation breathing apparatus training gallery.

The business centre, spanning 40,000 sq ft, has been developed at a cost of ₹30 crore. It is expected to serve companies in aviation and allied sectors and banking and consultancy fields.

The Chief Minister said three more projects costing ₹56 crore would be readied as part of the first phase of the Aero Park project soon.

“Our aim is to make Kochi an aircraft maintenance hub in the aviation map of the country. CIAL reflects how development initiatives in the past 10 years have changed the State’s image,” Mr. Vijayan said.

Chairing the meet, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said CIAL had been projecting a business model that cares for its location and its employees. “Once all the three phases of Aero Park are completed, CIAL will be transformed into a complete aviation ecosystem,” Mr. Rajeeve said.

Rajya Sabha member Haris Beeran, MLAs Anvar Sadath and Roji M. John, Chief secretary A. Jayathilak, CIAL directors M.A. Yusuff Ali, E.K. Bharathbhooshan, N.V. George, and Varghese Jacob, and managing director S. Suhas were present.