In order to provide improved facilities to the air travelers, the Cochin International Airport will now get an added world class upgrade at an investment worth Rs 100-crore and will in the near future be opened for domestic operation with facilities and amenities matching global standards. Senior CIAL officers said there will be at least 55 check-in counters and five aero-bridges at the renovated terminal which earlier had only 29 check-in counters and no aero-bridges. The new domestic terminal will also have a spacious security hold area which can accommodate a large number of passengers. While the old domestic terminal had only 1.2 lakh sq ft plinth area, the renovated terminal for domestic travel will have a plinth area of 5 lakh sq ft; the renovation reflects the growth potential of the fast-growing airport, said managing director V J Kurien, adding that India is expected to be the third largest aviation market by 2020 and the largest by 2030.
