Cochin International Airport to set up MRO, aviation academy

Mumbai: Private airport venture, Cochin International Airport (CIAL), is expediting the process to set up an international maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, along with an aviation training academy. When in operation, the two facilities would make CIAL the first airport to be executing such operations.

According to CIAL officials, the airport has already invited expression of interest (EoI) for the appointment of an aviation consultant, who will lay out a roadmap for the execution of the two projects. Towards this end, CIAL has already floated a wholly owned subsidiary company, Cochin International Aviation Services (CIASL).

While the MRO is expected to cost Rs200 crore in the initial phase of its development, the aviation academy may cost about Rs300 crore. CIAL officials also said that civil works have already commenced for the MRO facility and the aviation academy, with over 32 acres of land being earmarked for their development.

CIAL officials have indicated that in the first phase, two hangars for A-320 type of aircraft will be developed by 2008, whiles subsequent phases will see hangars coming up for wide-body aircraft.

Meanwhile, CIAL has recorded a 49.08 per cent growth in aircraft movement, in the period April to November 2006. Total aircraft movement through the airport during the period was 19,557, as against 13,118 in the corresponding period last year.

Looking at the numbers sector wise, the total aircraft movement in the domestic sector in the period April-November 2006 was 10,316, as against 5,708 in the corresponding period last year, while the international sector recorded movements of 9,241 aircraft, as against 7,410 in the corresponding period last year.