Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the Aero Park at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), marking a step towards expanding the airport into a full-fledged aviation industry hub.
Spread across 36 acres, the Aero Park has been designed as an integrated aviation ecosystem, bringing together aircraft hangars, parking bays, training centres, technical service units, and business infrastructure within a single campus. The facility will operate with features similar to a special economic zone and will have direct access to both the airport’s operational area and the city side.
The Chief Minister said the State’s objective is to move beyond conventional airport operations and position Kochi as a centre for aviation-related industries, including aircraft maintenance. He noted that development initiatives over the past decade have contributed to reshaping Kerala’s image and highlighted CIAL as an example of adapting to changing economic and industrial needs while maintaining international standards in airport services.
As part of the first phase, facilities worth ₹101 crore are being developed, including hangars, aircraft parking areas, storage spaces, conference halls, and advanced technical support units. Once operational, the project is expected to generate around 2,000 direct jobs and create indirect employment for approximately 6,000 people.
The event also saw the launch of the CIASL Business Centre, a 40,000 sq ft premium co-working and technical services facility developed at a cost of ₹30 crore. The centre is intended to support companies in aviation and allied sectors, as well as firms in banking and consultancy. An aviation breathing apparatus training gallery was also inaugurated.
CIAL managing director S. Suhas said the Aero Park, a flagship project of the airport, is expected to create significant employment opportunities, generate tax revenue, and strengthen long-term capabilities for the growing aviation sector. He added that three additional projects costing ₹56 crore would be completed soon as part of the first phase.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, who presided over the function, said CIAL’s development model balances business growth with public welfare and social responsibility. He pointed out that the airport was among the first in the country to recover from the aviation downturn during the Covid period and return to profitability, aided by its focus on business diversification.
Several legislators, senior government officials, CIAL board members, and airport management representatives were present at the event.
