Rediffmail. Cochin airport gears up to receive A380s
August 18, 2005 18:06 IST The Cochin International Airport Ltd is undergoing expansion at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion), which when completed would allow it to receive the world's largest aircraft, Airbus A380, a top CIAL executive said on Thursday. The Kerala government has taken initiatives to develop Kochi as a major business and tourism destination in the state. The development of the airport would boost tourism and promote investment in and around Kochi, V J Kurien, managing director, CIAL said. The construction of the new arrival block of the international terminal has been completed at a cost of Rs 18.97 crore (Rs 189.7 million) and it would be inaugurated on August 20, along with the Airbus 380 Apron and duty free shop. Kurien said the apron for the A380, whose commercial operations are tentatively scheduled to begin in late 2006 or early 2007, has a parking bay of 100 metre width and 137-metre length. There would also be a state-of-the-art visual docking guidance system and automatic fuel hydrant system installed in the parking bay. The expansion of the airport would generate employment for over 17,000 people, he added. Kurien claimed that few international airlines had expressed interest in operating services through Kochi and the state government had also requested the civil aviation ministry, to be liberal in granting bilateral rights to foreign airlines through Kochi. Comment: Possibility of Goa following suit? -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England
