Lois Larson
Cochin International Airport, also known as Nedumbassery International Airport, is the nearest airport to Ernakulam, located 27 kilometres north of Kochi. The airport is 55 minutes away from Ernakulam by taxi or private shuttle, and 1 hour and 20 minutes away by bus and metro. Cochin International Airport is the first airport in India to be built by a public-private partnership and is owned by a public limited company called Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Cochin International Airport |
| Airport Code | COK |
| Nearest City | Kochi (also known as Ernakulam) |
| Nearest Town | Angamaly |
| Nearest Railway Station | Angamaly (Kalady) Railway Station |
| Nearest Metro Station | Aluva Metro Station (11 km away) |
| Number of Terminals | 3 (1 international, 1 domestic, 1 executive) |
| Owner | Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) |
| Year of Commission | 1997 |
| Distance from Ernakulam | 27 km |
| Travel Time to Ernakulam | 55 minutes by taxi or private shuttle, 1 hour 20 minutes by bus and metro |
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What You'll Learn
Cochin International Airport is 27km from Ernakulam
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi International Airport or Nedumbassery Airport, is located about 27km from Ernakulam. The airport is situated at Nedumbassery, about 25km northeast of Kochi's city centre, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, southwestern India.
The airport is the first in India to be built under a public-private partnership model. It is owned by a public limited company called Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which was created by the Government of Kerala in 1994. The airport operates three passenger terminals and one cargo terminal, covering a total area of over 225,000 square metres.
To get from Cochin International Airport to Ernakulam, you can either take a taxi or opt for a combined bus and metro trip. The taxi ride will cost you €5.50 (INR 450) and will take around 55 minutes for the 27km journey. Taxis in Cochin are affordable and provide 24/7 door-to-door services, with fares calculated based on time and distance travelled. However, taxi drivers in Cochin tend to offer fixed prices but may overcharge, so it is advisable to use the prepaid taxi counters before getting into a taxi.
If you prefer a more cost-effective option, you can take a bus to the Aluva metro station and then board metro Line 1 towards Ernakulam. This combined trip will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, excluding waiting times. However, please note that travelling during odd hours or with heavy luggage may make this option less convenient.
Cochin International Airport is a significant transportation hub, serving more than 63% of Kerala's total air passenger traffic as of 2024. It is the busiest and largest airport in Kerala and has received numerous accolades, including the Champion of the Earth award in 2018 and the Best Airport in Asia-Pacific in 2020.
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It takes 55 minutes to travel between the two
Cochin International Airport (COK) is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. The airport is situated 27 kilometres north of Kochi (also known as Ernakulam), and it takes approximately 55 minutes to travel between the two.
The distance from Ernakulam to Cochin airport is 27 kilometres, which can be covered in 55 minutes via taxi or private shuttle. Taxis are readily available at the airport, with official Cochin International Airport taxi ranks located outside the domestic and international terminals. These taxis are authorised by the government to operate throughout India and charge around €5.50 (INR 450) for the trip between Ernakulam and Cochin Airport. It is important to note that taxis in Cochin calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled, and there are no price differences for day, night, or weekend trips.
While there is no direct public transportation available from the airport to Ernakulam, it is possible to take a bus and then a metro. This option takes a total of around 1 hour and 20 minutes, including the 25-minute bus ride to the Aluva metro station and the 55-minute metro ride to Ernakulam station. The bus stand is located outside the Arrivals Terminal at Cochin International Airport, and the feeder bus operates every 40 minutes. The metro ticket from Aluva to Ernakulam costs €0.60 (INR 50), and there is no additional cost for any tolls along the way as these are included in the taxi fare.
Cochin International Airport is unique in that it is the first airport in India to be built through a public-private partnership. It is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), a public limited company established by the Government of Kerala in 1994. The airport has come a long way since its early days as an airstrip on Willingdon Island, built by the Kingdom of Cochin in 1936. Today, it boasts three passenger terminals and one cargo terminal, covering a total area of over 225,000 square metres.
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The airport is owned by a public-private partnership
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi International Airport or Nedumbassery Airport, is located in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. It is the first airport in India to be built by a public-private partnership and is owned by a public limited company called Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which was created by the Government of Kerala in 1994.
The airport's history dates back to 1936 when the Kingdom of Cochin built an airstrip on Willingdon Island, intended for transporting officials involved in the development of the Cochin Port. During World War II, the British converted the airstrip into a military airport for use by the Indian Navy. After India gained dominion status and the merger of the Kingdom of Cochin with India, the Indian Navy continued to operate the airport while allowing civilian aircraft to use it.
The Gulf economic boom of the 1980s highlighted the need for international connections to Kochi, particularly for expatriates working in the Middle East. This led to the proposal for a new international airport in Kochi, with an estimated cost of ₹1 billion (US$12 million) and an expected completion date of 1997. To facilitate better funding mobilisation and administrative convenience, CIAL was registered in March 1994 with an authorised capital of ₹900 million (US$11 million).
The construction of the airport gained momentum under the chairmanship of E. K. Nayanar, who ensured that the project received special attention from the State Government. By 1997, CIAL had acquired substantial land for the airport's construction, resettling approximately 2,300 landowners and 872 families under a rehabilitation package. The airport was formally inaugurated by the then President of India.
CIAL is owned by various stakeholders, with the Government of Kerala holding the largest stake at 33.36%Indian government companies like Air India, BPCL, and AAI hold an 8.74% stake, while foreign companies, including the Abu Dhabi-based Emke Group, the Oman-based Galfar Group, and UAE-based Majeed Bukatara Trading, hold a 5.42% stake. Indian companies hold an 8.57% stake, and scheduled commercial banks like Federal Bank, SBT, and Canara Bank hold 5.91%. The remaining 38.03% stake is held by over 10,000 personal investors from 29 countries, mostly non-resident Indians.
Cochin International Airport has achieved numerous accolades, including becoming the world's first fully solar-powered airport in 2015 and receiving the Champion of the Earth award in 2018 from the United Nations. It is listed among the 12 major airports in India and is known for its safety and security, managed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security through the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
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Cochin International Airport was the first airport in the world to be fully solar-powered
Cochin International Airport and Ernakulam Airport are the same. The airport is located in the Ernakulam District of Kerala, India.
Cochin International Airport is the first airport in the world to be fully solar-powered. The airport has been a pioneer in many ways since its inception, and its solar power project inspired many other airports to follow suit. The company that operates the airport, Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL), has always adhered to the principles of cost-effectiveness and sustainable development.
In 2013, CIAL began its first solar project, installing a solar energy plant with 400 panels on the rooftop. This small pilot project was a success, and the airport decided to scale up its solar initiatives. By 2015, Cochin International Airport became the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar energy, with a dedicated solar plant comprising 46,150 solar panels spread across 45 acres near the cargo complex. The solar plant produces 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day, making the airport power-neutral.
The airport's transition to solar energy was driven by the high cost of power bills, and the desire to reduce its carbon footprint. The environmental benefits of this transition are significant, with a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300,000 metric tonnes, equivalent to planting three million trees. The airport's managing director, VJ Kurian, has become a sought-after source of knowledge, with airports across India and a team from Liberia keen to learn from the "Cochin model".
CIAL has continued to expand its green initiatives, venturing into hydropower in 2021 and scaling up its farming practices with the modern method of agri-voltaics. The company closely monitors the impact of its interventions on society and the environment, striving for a healthier and greener planet.
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It has three passenger terminals and one cargo terminal
The Cochin International Airport, located in Nedumbassery, about 25 kilometres northeast of Kochi, Kerala, has three passenger terminals and one cargo terminal. It is the largest airport in the state, serving 61.8% of the state's total air passenger movement. The airport is also the primary base for all Air India Express operations.
The three passenger terminals include two domestic terminals and one international terminal. Terminal 1 was formerly the international terminal until international operations were shifted to the new Terminal 3. Terminal 1 then underwent a massive upgrade, increasing its handling capacity to 4,000 passengers per hour, five times its previous capacity. Terminal 1 has a built-up area of 600,000 sq ft, with 56 check-in counters, 7 aerobridges, and a conveyor belt system to transfer baggage from 12 flights simultaneously. It also features 6 reserve lounges, an art area, a food court, an executive lounge, and a 50,000 sq ft shopping area. Terminal 1 is also equipped with a solar carport facility, which can accommodate 1,400 cars and generate 2.4 MW of power. In combination with the solar facility at Terminal 3, they can provide parking for 2,800 cars and generate a total of 5.1 MW of power.
The current international terminal, Terminal 3, will soon be converted into a domestic terminal, featuring 5 aerobridges, 10 boarding gates, and increased parking bays. The other terminal, which currently handles some domestic operations, will also be converted into an executive terminal, capable of handling VIP and private chartered flights and jets.
The cargo terminal is located on the eastern side of the complex and is one of the largest cargo facilities in India, with a total floor space of 120,000 sq ft across 50 acres of land. The cargo village consists of three complexes: the Centre for Dry Cargo, the Centre for Perishable Cargo, and a dedicated warehousing facility. The Centre for Dry Cargo has an area of 50,000 sq ft and includes an air-customs inspection facility for import and export. The Centre for Perishable Cargo is India's largest dedicated cold storage centre for perishable goods, with a floor area of 22,000 sq ft and a capacity to handle approximately 25,000 tonnes of cargo.
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Frequently asked questions
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to the Ernakulam district. The airport is about 27 kilometres from Ernakulam, and the city can be reached by taxi, bus, or metro.
Cochin Airport is 27 kilometres from Ernakulam, which takes about 55 minutes to reach by taxi or private shuttle.
You can take a taxi or private shuttle from Cochin Airport to Ernakulam, which takes about 55 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Aluva Metro Station and then the metro to Ernakulam, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes in total.
