KOCHI: The Cochin international airport is witnessing a spurt in domestic traffic keeping pace with the trend across the nation in the domestic sector with more budget airlines introducing services in different sectors. All over the nation, a total of 8.49 crore passengers have travelled in the nine months this year in the domestic sector, up from 7.26 crore in the same period last year. A total of 26.24 lakh of domestic passengers travelled in the first seven months of this financial year through the Cochin airport during the summer schedule period compared to 21.91 lakh passengers travelled in the domestic sector during the same period last year. This marks nearly 20 per cent growth this financial year.
A CIAL official said that CIAL is readying to touch the magic figure of 10 million passengers this financial year which is possible considering the traffic through the international sector as well. Last financial year in the seven months from April to October, a total of 29.71 lakh passengers travelled through the international terminal while this year it rose to 30.57 lakh. It shows the growth in international sector grew marginally by 3 per cent when compared to the 20 per cent growth in domestic sector.
“In the 2016-17 financial year, the total traffic on the international and domestic sectors put together was 8.9 million. Half way during this financial year we have crossed the five million mark. Now a busy winter schedule is ahead with two international and one domestic flight added. The second half will be more hectic due to tourist season. We are confident of touching 10 million in this financial year,” said a CIAL official.
