Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has undergone a significant transformation in its summer flight schedule to accommodate the burgeoning demand in the domestic aviation landscape. In response to the escalating traffic, CIAL has introduced a plethora of new services, expanding its connectivity across various cities from Kochi.

The summer timetable, effective since March 31, has witnessed a surge in weekly services, with an impressive addition of around 60 services commencing operations in early May. This strategic move aims to cater to the escalating passenger traffic, with CIAL crossing the remarkable milestone of serving over one crore passengers in the financial year 2023-24.

Air India Express has bolstered its connectivity with six weekly services to Kolkata, while IndiGo has initiated services to Ranchi, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Raipur, and Lucknow. Moreover, Air India Express and Air Asia have unveiled new services to Pune, Ranchi, and Bagdogra respectively, further enhancing the accessibility from Kochi.

Expanding its reach to metro cities across India, CIAL now boasts 20 daily services to Bengaluru, alongside 13 services to Delhi and 10 to Mumbai. IndiGo's recent introduction of daily services to Lakshadweep from May 1 has been met with enthusiasm, particularly for the Kozhikode-Kochi-Agathi-Kochi route.

Alliance Air maintains a robust presence with 10 weekly services to Agathi, while Kochi Airport ensures seamless connectivity to Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Salem, and Ahmedabad.

With a keen eye on the burgeoning tourist influx to the eastern region, CIAL has amplified its services to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City. The recent addition of three services by Thai Airways has propelled the weekly services from Kochi to Bangkok to a commendable 13. Notably, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur also enjoy a robust connectivity with 14 and 22 weekly services respectively.

Looking ahead, Air India has announced plans to ramp up its weekly services to London from three to four, underscoring the airport's commitment to expanding its international footprint.

In a testament to its soaring popularity, CIAL has witnessed a record-breaking footfall of 1.053 crore passengers in the financial year 2023-24, marking an 18 per cent increase from the previous year. This remarkable feat underscores the airport's pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel experiences for millions, with a significant portion comprising domestic and international travelers alike.