As part of its efforts to increase its revenue from non-aeronautical streams, the Cochin International  Airport Limited (CIAL) is setting up an aircraft and airport museum on its property. According to  CIAL officials, work on the museum, which will showcase the origin and evolution of the global  aviation industry to its present high-profile status, will soon begin on the 2.5-acre plot, near to the  area allotted for developing the first phase of the industrial park . The company director board has  approved the project proposal.

The museum will be designed in such a way that it will attract visitors and will benefit students of the  CIAL Academy and of various aviation engineering courses. Aircraft engines, other components,  choppers and rockets along with a brief description on each of them will be on display. The efforts of  CIAL to be increase revenue has also been showcased in its setting up of golf courses and other  facilities that are sure to attract tourists. The AEROTROPOLIS is a dream project by CIAL.  Dreaming big and planning to the minutest detail is an exercise well practised at CIAL. This ambitious  project plans to develop around 450 acres of land with a view to generate non-aeronautical revenue,  to shore-up CIAL’s aeronautical revenue streams.

Models of airports : Replicas of aircraft, from the oldest ones to the new generation jets, will also be on display. A separate segment presenting the history and growth of aviation business on a commercial basis with special emphasis on the evolution of the industry in India will and miniature models of the important airports across the globe will be set up. Demonstrations of scientific experiments involving aircraft will also be organised. Sources said that plans were also afoot to house a number of passenger and fighter planes in the museum. The company has approached the Ministry of Defence, the National Aviation Company of India Limited and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited seeking the possibility of getting some old airplanes as display pieces.

The airport company also plans to set up a children’s park and canteen facility for the visitors to the museum. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs.3 crore. The new venture, in combination with the 18 hole golf course and the proposed bio-diversity park, including the butterfly park on 14 acres of forest land adjacent to the airport, is expected to help CIAL’s efforts to become an international tourist destination.