Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced that the state will set up a multimodal cargo network integrating air, road, rail, and inland water transport, with Cochin International Airport (CIAL) as its primary hub.
Speaking at the plenary session of the International Cargo Business Summit, organised by CIAL in association with FICCI to mark the 25th anniversary of CIAL’s cargo department, the Chief Minister said the airport is positioning itself as a growth engine for Kerala’s economy, going beyond its role as a conventional aviation facility.
CIAL handled over 65,000 tonnes of cargo in the last financial year, a figure expected to rise to 74,000 tonnes in the current fiscal, he said. Highlighting CIAL’s financial strength, Vijayan noted that the airport has distributed a 50 per cent dividend to its investors and has emerged as a national model in airport operations. He also said construction of three bridges benefiting four panchayats is currently underway.
The Chief Minister added that CIAL has initiated the process to obtain certification for handling pharmaceutical cargo, which will commence operations immediately after approval.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said the establishment of logistics parks by major global companies near CIAL would significantly enhance the airport’s cargo potential. The presence of large-scale logistics players reflects the strong growth momentum in cargo movement in the region, he added.