Ruth Haines
Cochin International Airport, also referred to as Kochi Airport, is located in Nedumbassery, about 25 kilometres northeast of Kochi. The airport is well-known for being the first airport in the world to operate entirely on solar power. The runway is spread over the panchayat areas of Nedumbassery, Sreemoolanagaram, and Kanjoor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Cochin International Airport |
| Location | Nedumbassery, Kochi, Kerala |
| Distance from Kochi | 25 kilometres northeast of Kochi |
| Distance from Khajuraho Town | 3 kilometres south of Khajuraho Town |
| Distance from Khajuraho Railway Station | 4 kilometres from Khajuraho Railway Station |
| Distance from Nedumbassery | 0.9 miles from the centre of Nedumbassery |
| Distance from Ernakulam | 25 kilometres from Ernakulam |
| Runway length | 3,445m |
| Taxiway length | 3,445m |
| Apron size | 807m x 125m |
| Number of stands | 16 |
| Number of helipads | 1 |
| Number of hotels nearby | 1 (Cochin Airport Hotel) |
| Airlines operating from the airport | Air India, Air India Regional, Air India Express, Air Arabia, AirAsia, AirAsia India, Etihad Airways, Emirates, GoAir, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Flydubai, IndiGo, Malindo Air, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, SilkAir, Tigerair |
| Cargo services | Qatar Airways Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Blue Dart Aviation, Etihad Crystal Cargo, Saudia Cargo |
| Power source | Solar power |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cochin International Airport is located in Nedumbassery
Cochin International Airport, also referred to as Kochi Airport, is located in Nedumbassery, about 25 kilometres northeast of the city of Kochi. It is one of the busiest airports in Kerala, serving the city of Kochi and the surrounding Ernakulam district. Ernakulam does not have its own airport, so Cochin International Airport is the primary airport for the region.
The airport is well-connected, with an extensive network of domestic and international flights, connecting to major global hubs. It is also known for being the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar energy.
Cochin International Airport has a 3,445-metre runway that can handle Code E planes, and a full-length parallel taxiway of the same length. The airport also has a helipad dedicated to air-taxi services for passengers travelling to major pilgrim destinations in Kerala, as well as cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
The airport's history dates back to 1936 when an airstrip was built on Willingdon Island by the Kingdom of Cochin. During World War II, the British converted it into a military airport for the Indian Navy. After India gained dominion status and the merger of the Kingdom of Cochin, the airport continued to be operated by the Indian Navy, but it was also opened to civilian aircraft.
The proposal for the Cochin International Airport was approved in May 1993, with funding coming from various sources, including interest-free loans from non-resident Indians and donations from industrial undertakings. The airport is unique in that its development was made possible through the contributions of nearly 10,000 non-resident Indians worldwide.
Orlando Sanford: The Gateway to Port Canaveral, Florida
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cochin Airport is also known as Kochi Airport
Cochin International Airport, located in Nedumbassery, is about 25 kilometres northeast of Kochi. It is also known as Kochi Airport as it serves the city of Kochi and the surrounding Ernakulam district. Ernakulam does not have its own airport, so Cochin International Airport is the main airport for this region.
The airport has one 3,445-metre runway that can handle Code E planes. It also has a full-length parallel taxiway and an apron that can accommodate five wide-bodied and eight narrow-bodied aircraft. The airport also has a helipad for air-taxi services to major pilgrim destinations in Kerala and cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
Cochin International Airport is the busiest and largest airport in Kerala, serving 61.8% of the state's total air passenger movement. It is also the primary base for all Air India Express operations and the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar power.
The airport's history dates back to 1936 when the Kingdom of Cochin built an airstrip on Willingdon Island. During World War II, the British converted it into a military airport for the Indian Navy. After India gained dominion status and the merger of the Kingdom of Cochin, the Indian Navy continued to operate the airport, allowing civilian aircraft to use it.
The proposal for the airport, estimated at ₹1 billion (US$12 million), was approved in May 1993. Funding came from interest-free loans, donations, and loans from the state government. The Cochin International Airport Society was formed to execute the project, and a public limited company, Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL), was registered in 1994 to better manage funding and administration.
Airports Buzzing: Current Travel Trends and Insights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is 25km northeast of Kochi
Cochin International Airport (COK) is located in Nedumbassery, 25 kilometres northeast of the city of Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala. It is the largest and busiest airport in Kerala, handling over 10 million passengers annually and catering to nearly 63% of the state's air passenger traffic. The airport is also the fourth-largest in India in terms of international air traffic.
Cochin International Airport is the first airport in India to be built through a public-private partnership and is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), a public limited company established by the Government of Kerala in 1994. The airport has one 3,445-metre runway that can handle Code E planes and a full-length parallel taxiway of the same length. It also features a helipad dedicated to air-taxi services for passengers travelling to major pilgrim destinations in Kerala and cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
The airport is situated between National Highway 544 (NH 544), a major highway in South India, and the Main Central Road (MC Road), one of Kerala's state highways. While the main railway line is only 500 metres away, the nearest train station is Angamaly, about 5 kilometres from the airport. Plans are underway for a new railway station with better connectivity to the airport.
Cochin International Airport offers various amenities for travellers, including lounges, ATMs, and dining options. Duty-free shopping is also available at the domestic and international departures area. The airport provides easy access to cash through ATMs and offers free Wi-Fi for the first 30 minutes.
The airport has a unique distinction as the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar energy. It also has a Naval Aircraft Enclave set up by the Indian Navy, featuring a hangar for larger aircraft, an administrative office, a disbursal centre, an apron capable of accommodating two Boeing-type aircraft, and a taxi track.
The Mystery of Airport Black Boxes: What Color Are They?
You may want to see also
It is the first airport to be fully solar-powered
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi Airport, is the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar energy. The airport is located in the panchayat areas of Nedumbassery, Sreemoolanagaram, and Kanjoor in the southwestern coastal state of Kerala, India.
The airport's transition to solar energy began with a small pilot project in 2013, when 400 solar panels were installed on a rooftop. The success of this initial test led to the dedication of 45 acres of land on the airport property for the development of a new energy hub. This energy hub now houses more than 46,000 solar panels, providing all the power needed for the airport's operational functions.
The solar power plant produces between 50,000 and 60,000 units of electricity per day, making the airport power-neutral. In addition to the solar power plant, the airport operator has eight plants near the premises, with a cumulative capacity of 40 MW. One of these is a 12.5 MW solar plant in Payyanur, Kannur District, commissioned in February 2022.
The decision to switch to solar power was driven by the high cost of electricity and the desire to promote sustainable development. By using solar energy, the airport not only reduces its operating costs but also contributes to a healthier and greener planet by reducing its carbon footprint. The success of Cochin International Airport's solar power project has inspired many other airports worldwide to explore solar energy options.
The airport has received recognition for its efforts in renewable power, including the UN's highest environmental honor, the "Champion of the Earth" award, specifically in entrepreneurial vision.
Minneapolis' Airport System: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
The airport was initially an airstrip on Willingdon Island
Cochin International Airport, also known as Kochi International Airport or Nedumbassery Airport, is located in Nedumbassery, about 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Kochi's city centre in Kerala, India. The airport is the first in India to be developed under a public-private partnership model 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 over 10.3 million passengers and 67,469 aircraft movements in the fiscal year 2023-2024.
During World War II, the Kingdom of Cochin allowed the British to convert the airstrip into a military airport for the Indian Navy. The Royal Navy chose it as a strategic site for their headquarters in Southern India and as an air station, landing craft, and seaplane base. The military facility hosted naval fighter planes to defend against possible Japanese air raids.
After India gained independence in 1947, the airport continued to be operated by the Indian Navy, but it was also opened up for civilian aircraft use. Over time, the airport was extensively developed, and it became the city's modern military-civilian airport. When the new Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery was built, the civilian enclave of the Willingdon Island airport was shut down, and the island became a hub for international trade and the commercial heart of the ancient metropolis of Cochin.
JFK Airport: Storage Lockers Availability and Accessibility
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cochin International Airport is located in Nedumbassery, about 25 kilometres northeast of Kochi.
Cochin International Airport is the first airport in the world to operate entirely on solar power.
Some nearby attractions include the Birthplace of Sri Adi Shankara, the Adi Shancharachaya Temple, and the Shri Krishna Temple.
Cochin International Airport provides taxi and car rental services. The airport also has internet stations at the lounges and terminals, and cheap flight deals are often available.
