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Passenger traffic goes up by 2,000 in Cochin airport

Diversion of flights to increase CIAL revenue

Kochi: With four airlines shifting their operations from the Calicut to Cochin airport from May 1 owing to the maintenance of the runway at Karippur airport, the pressure on Cochin airport has gone up with the number of passengers increasing by over 2,000 a day.

The airlines that have shifted their operations are Saudi Airlines, Air India, Etihad and Emirates.

Some more carriers are expected to shift their operations to Cochin airport in the coming days including Air India Express which will increase the pressure manifold.

However, according to Cochin airport officials, they are putting in their best efforts to make arrangements for the smooth handling of operations.

It is learnt that the Emigration and CISF wings have requisitioned additional personnel to handle the extra work created by the re-routing of flights.

CIAL managing director V. J. Kurien called a meeting of various wings at the airport to review the arrangements and meet their needs in the wake of the new situation.

“We are under pressure with over 2000 passengers added daily but are performing to the best of our ability. The slots for the new aircraft are being given during free time and since some of the airlines had asked for the slots we could accommodate them when the summer schedule was declared,” said a CIAL official.

CIAL is also expected to generate additional revenue from increased traffic and the business at duty-free shops is also expected to go up.

Saudi Airlines and Air India are operating Boeing 777/747. Etihad will start its operations from May 15 only.

( Source : dc correspondent )
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