Kochi airport prepares 25-year expansion roadmap with second runway under study

Cochin International Airport Ltd has begun preparing a comprehensive master plan to guide development of Kochi airport and associated infrastructure over the next 25 years.

The study will examine a proposed second runway, including its alignment, length, orientation and spacing from the existing runway.

It will also cover the taxiway network, runway-crossing locations, drainage, additional aprons, terminal locations and associated land requirements, reported The Times of India.

A 25-year aviation demand forecast forms another major part of the exercise.

“The appointed consultant will analyse historical aviation demand, passenger markets, airlines and destinations, aircraft fleet mix, load factors, cargo activity and Cial’s catchment area,” a senior CIAL official said.

The forecasts will cover passenger traffic, aircraft movements and cargo volumes under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.

Jacobs Solutions India Private Ltd has been appointed as consultant through an e-tender process. Work has already started and the consultancy is expected to be completed within 10 months of commencement.

The airport is simultaneously carrying out other expansion works. The international terminal is being expanded by six lakh sq ft, with foundation work under way and completion targeted for 2029.

The international apron is also being expanded by around 11 lakh sq ft and is proposed to be commissioned alongside the terminal expansion.

Surface connectivity will form a significant part of the master plan. The study will assess passengers using private cars, taxis, buses, rail and other modes.

It will also examine future road networks, rail augmentation, new stations, phased Metro connectivity, potential inland-waterway links and emerging urban mobility platforms.

Possible future cityside development, congestion-free highway access and phased rearrangement of facilities will also be examined.

The master plan is intended to provide the long-term framework for airport capacity augmentation and associated development.