Lois Larson
The names Kochi and Cochin often create a lot of confusion for travellers. The answer is that they are the same place – Kochi is the official name for the city in Kerala, which was previously called Cochin. The airport is called Cochin International Airport, which adds to the confusion. The airport is located in Nedumbassery, about 40km from the city centre, and is Kerala's largest and busiest airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are Kochi and Cochin the same? | Yes, Kochi and Cochin are the names of the same city in Kerala. |
| Is Cochin International Airport in Kochi? | Yes, Cochin International Airport is located in Nedumbassery, about 40 km from the Kochi city centre. |
| Is Cochin International Airport the same as Kochi Airport? | Yes, Cochin International Airport is also known as Kochi Airport. |
| Is Cochin International Airport a domestic and international airport? | Yes, Cochin International Airport serves both domestic and international flights. |
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What You'll Learn
Kochi and Cochin refer to the same city in Kerala
The answer is yes, Kochi and Cochin refer to the same city in Kerala. The British used to call it Cochin, whereas Keralites today call it Kochi. In the 1990s, Kochi was declared the official name, but many residents and tourists still refer to it as Cochin out of habit. The city is also commonly referred to as Ernakulam, the name of the district in which it is located.
Kochi is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India, bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. The city is known for its Chinese fishing nets, a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction. Other landmarks include Mattanchery Palace, Marine Drive, Venduruthy Bridge, the Church of Saint Francis, and Mattanchery Bridge.
Kochi has a rich history dating back to antiquity when it was an important spice trading centre on the west coast of India. The port of Muziris traded with the Romans, Persians, Arabs, and Chinese. In the 16th century, the Portuguese established Fort Kochi (Fort Emmanuel), which was later taken over by the Dutch and then ceded to the United Kingdom.
Today, Kochi is known as the financial, commercial, and industrial capital of Kerala. It is the only city in the country with a water metro system and has a unique solar-powered international airport. The city has a population of over 2.1 million people within its larger urban agglomeration, making it the largest and most populous metropolitan area in Kerala.
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Cochin International Airport is 28km northeast of the city
The city of Kochi in Kerala, India, is also known as Cochin—the British used this name, and many residents and tourists still refer to the city by this name out of habit. The city's airport is called Cochin International Airport, which adds to the naming confusion. The airport is located in Nedumbassery, about 40 kilometres from the city centre of Kochi. More specifically, the airport is 28 kilometres northeast of the city.
Cochin International Airport is Kerala's busiest and largest airport. It is unique in that it is a fully solar-powered airport. The airport is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited (68.58%) and the Government of Kerala (32.42%). It first opened in 1999 and serves both domestic and international flights. The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 3 being exclusively for international travellers. The domestic and international terminals are adjacent to each other, and travellers can easily access one from the other via lifts.
The airport offers a range of services and facilities to enhance the travel experience. For example, passengers can use the self-baggage drop facility at Terminal 1, and there are several VIP lounges throughout the airport. There is also a parking facility, although it is a paid service. Other amenities include prayer rooms, ATM machines, shopping stores, charging points, wheelchair services, convenience stores, and restaurants.
Travellers can reach Cochin International Airport by various means. The airport is less than 12 kilometres from Aluva Railway Station and 29.5 kilometres from Ernakulam Junction Railway Station. There is also a regular bus service to the airport from Kochi.
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The airport caters to both domestic and international flights
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi International Airport or Nedumbassery Airport, serves the city of Kochi, Kerala, in southwestern India. Kochi and Cochin are, in fact, the same place—the former is what locals call the city today, whereas the latter was the name used by the British. The airport is located about 25-29 km northeast of the city centre, in Nedumbassery.
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). The airport is the busiest and largest in the state of Kerala, handling more than 63% of the state's total air passenger traffic. It is the fifth-busiest airport in India in terms of international traffic and the eighth-busiest overall. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the airport served over 10.3 million passengers with a total of 67,469 aircraft movements.
The airport has three main terminals: two domestic and one international. Terminal 1 was formerly the international terminal until operations shifted to the new Terminal 3, which is exclusively for international travellers. The renovated Terminal 1 now serves as a domestic terminal, with a total built-up area of 55,742 m2 (600,000 sq ft). It features 56 check-in counters, 7 aerobridges, and a conveyor belt system to transfer baggage from 12 flights simultaneously. The international Terminal 3 has 5 aerobridges and 10 boarding gates, with increased parking bays. The domestic and international terminals are adjacent, allowing easy access between them.
In addition to its passenger terminals, Cochin International Airport also boasts an exclusive domestic cargo complex for private domestic logistics firms and India Post services. It is the fourth airport in India to feature a terminal for business jets, providing customised services for charter and private jets. The airport also unveiled India's largest aero lounge in September 2024, offering guest rooms, boardrooms, conference halls, co-working spaces, and a lounge accessible to both passengers and visitors.
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The airport is solar-powered and has unique Kerala architecture
Yes, Kochi and Cochin are the same city in Kerala, India. The city's airport, Cochin International Airport, is located 28 km northeast of the city centre. The airport features unique Kerala architectural style and is known for being the first fully solar-powered airport in the world.
Cochin International Airport showcases traditional Kerala architecture, with design elements that reflect the cultural and aesthetic characteristics of the region. The airport's terminals blend modern functionality with the distinct architectural heritage of Kerala, creating a visually appealing and culturally rich environment for travellers.
In terms of its solar power capabilities, the airport has implemented the CIAL Solar Power Project, a 50-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic power station. This project comprises 92,150 solar panels spread across 94 acres near the international cargo complex. The solar panels have been strategically installed to maximise sun exposure and optimise energy production. The plant has a daily capacity of generating 100,000 units of electricity, making the airport entirely self-sufficient in terms of its energy needs.
The solar power system at Cochin International Airport is directly connected to the KSEB grid. During the daytime, the airport feeds any excess energy produced into the grid and then buys back power as needed, especially at night. This sustainable approach not only reduces the airport's carbon footprint but also encourages other airports and utility services to embrace clean and renewable energy sources.
The CIAL Solar Power Project is valued at around Rs. 260 Crores and includes advanced components such as PV modules manufactured by Ammini Solar and inverters produced by ABB. The project also incorporates a 2.1 MW solar plant that was commissioned in 2013, further contributing to the airport's solar power generation capacity.
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Cochin International Airport is also known as Kochi Airport
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi Airport, is located in Nedumbassery, about 40 kilometres from the city centre of Kochi, Kerala. The airport is situated on the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula. It is the largest and busiest airport in Kerala and is unique for its traditional Kerala architecture.
Kochi and Cochin are, in fact, the same place and are used interchangeably to refer to the same city in Kerala. The British used to refer to the city as Cochin, whereas today, locals use the name Kochi. In the 1990s, Kochi was declared the official name, but many residents and tourists still refer to it as Cochin out of habit. This dual naming convention can cause confusion for travellers.
Cochin International Airport is a popular airport in Kerala and is known for being the first airport in the world built under the Public-Private Partnership model. The airport is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited (68.58%) and the Government of Kerala (32.42%). It began operations in 1999 and serves both domestic and international flights. The airport is also well-known for being fully solar-powered.
The airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers, including self-baggage drop, lounges, parking, a lost and found desk, a cloak room, smart gates, prayer rooms, ATMs, shopping, charging points, wheelchair services, convenience stores and restaurants.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kochi and Cochin are names for the same city in Kerala, India. The airport serving the city is Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi Airport.
The British used to call the city Cochin, while the official name was changed to Kochi in the 1990s. The name "Kochi" comes from "Kochanzi", which means "small estuary" in Malayalam.
Cochin International Airport has a self-baggage drop facility, VIP lounges, parking, a lost and found desk, a cloak room, smart gates, prayer rooms, ATMs, shopping, charging points, wheelchair facilities, convenience stores, and restaurants.
You can reach Kochi by flight, train, or bus. If you are coming by flight, choose Cochin International Airport (COK). The airport is about 40km from the city centre.
