In an effort to mitigate the growing concern about the security of airports across the country, the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has decided to enhance the security apparatus by installing state-of-the-art security and surveillance equipments at the airport .The company plans for a phased enhancement of the total security cover for the airport by launching the ‘nakkas and morchas’ system in the first phase and a full-fledged perimeter intrusion detection system in the second phase. The system of ‘nakkas and morchas’, intended to ward off a possible terrorist strike at the airport is expected to be operational within a couple of months.

While the ‘nakka’ system is meant to stop the movement of speeding vehicles into the terminals under suspicious  circumstances, the ‘morcha’ will ensure a thorough checking of all the vehicles entering into the airport. CIAL has  already erected a number of hide-outs at the main entry points of both the passenger terminals and the cargo terminal to  deploy CISF personnel.

The ‘morcha’ system envisages the entry of the vehicles into the parking area at the city-side only after a systematic  inspection by the sentries at the CISF posts and recording of details.

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.

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The Kochi International Airport Ltd has entered into the field of management education, creating history in airport operations management.
The CIAL Academy was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at Nedumbassery at 3.30 p.m. on Friday.

In the first batch, the academy has admitted 60 students for its MBA programme, 40 students for the advanced diploma course and 90 students for various certified courses. The courses are recognized by the Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU).
The academy offers MBA courses with specialisation in

1. Aviation Business Management
2. Aviation Operations Management
3. Human Resources
4. Finance
5. Marketing

The advanced diploma courses will cover Airport Operations Management, Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting and Safety, Air Cargo Management, Security Management, Retail Management and Relationship Management.
The academy will also offer certificate courses in Airport Ramp Handling, Rescue and Fire Fighting and Security and Intelligence.
The courses are designed to prepare the students for securing employment in aviation industry.
The academy also plans to start various technical courses, including MTech, soon. CIAL, the first ‘greenfield’ airport developed in the country under pubic-private participation, has set a model by venturing into the education sector.

Thats a “yay yay” for Kochi…!  Way to go CIAL…!!

CIAL , the Cochin International Airport Limited , will be gifting us Kochiites with a world class Golf Course by the end of this year.  The first phase of the  Rs.480 million golf course is scheduled to be completed and open  by mid December.

The first phase  will have nine holes of the 18 planned for the entire course . Building this costed Rs.20 crore (Rs.200 million). According to officials, the golf course would match any international golf course. Well , that is quite obvious dont you think ? Afterall , CIAL..!!

The golf course, is situated on 130 acres, adjacent to  to the fourth largest airport in the country .!! 800 applications for memberships  have been sold for Rs.10,000 each by now. An application form worth Rs.10,000 ?? Well , being part of a rich city does have its disadvantages.. This being one.! But hey , who would have thought Kochi would develop at this pace ?

By next month , the CIAL expects to do the screening of the applications and allotment of membership would begin. And yeah , the early bird catches the worm…!!!  ;) The membership fee for a few early birds has been fixed at Rs.200,000. !

Earlier this year,  CIAL announced a dividend of 10 percent, up from eight percent announced last year. The paid up capital of CIAL is Rs.300 crore.

Hoping to see legends like Tiger Woods , Nick Faldo ..( no offence to the ones I havent listed here , Ime running short of time .. can I expect  a “None Taken” comment ?? ..  ) …