INDIA. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) will inaugurate its new Business Jet Terminal on 10 December. It will serve private jets flying on domestic and international routes.
The joint venture between Kreol Travel Retail and Dufry will run a 2,000sq ft duty free store within the 40,000sq ft facility, which features luxury interiors and spaces to relax or have meetings. Other services include covered car parking, drive-in porches, a grand lobby, five lounges, a business centre, check-in, immigration, customs, health and security check zones and a foreign exchange counter.
The new terminal – which CIAL said would lend impetus to private jet operation, tourism and business conferences in the region, will be launched officially by Kerala Chief Minister Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan.
CIAL Managing Director S. Suhas IAS introduces the landmark terminal
CIAL currently operates two terminals, with T1 serving domestic traffic and T3 international. With the commissioning of the Business Jet Terminal at the previous domestic terminal (T2), CIAL will join a small group of just four airports in India to have a dedicated private jet terminal.
CIAL Managing Director S. Suhas IAS said: “With the commissioning of the Business Jet Terminal, Cochin International Airport Limited unveils the ‘World of Affordable Chartered Flying’. It also marks another first. CIAL’s new Business Jet Terminal is going to be India’s ‘First Charter Gateway’, a one-of-a-kind terminal in the country which integrates tourism, international summits, business conferences and the movement of High Net Worth Individuals.
“It accentuates the idea of cost-effectiveness in the development of an elegant airport terminal. We are sure that this concept will revolutionise the chartered flight service industry in India. The guidance of the Honourable Chairman and the board of directors and the state government was crucial for this project.”
The project took ten months to complete. CIAL said it underlines its commitment to “identify and activate new revenue verticals” and to offer “a world-class passenger terminal experience at an affordable cost”.
Of the new duty free store, Kreol Group CEO Lal Arakulath said: “I am truly excited about the opening of the Private Jet Terminal at Cochin International Airport in India. Dufry and Kreol Travel Retail are developing a unique duty free shop for this exclusive terminal to complement our main operations in Terminal 3 arrivals and departures.
“The Cochin Airport team is working closely with us to evaluate expected passenger profiles and offer relevant product assortments. This terminal will be a convenience for business travellers too.”
The development of a business jet terminal is one of several big projects undertaken by CIAL in the past year. Other investments include the new Arippara hydropower station and Payyanur Solar power station, both located in northern Kerala.
