Nedumbassery: A second runway, expanded passenger terminals, a larger cargo complex and improved connectivity could be part of Kochi airport's future as Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) begins work on a detailed development roadmap for the next 25 years.

The airport operator is awaiting a master plan to identify projects that can be developed across the 1,500 acres of land under its control, keeping in mind the expected growth in passenger traffic and flight operations in the coming decades.

CIAL has appointed Jacobs Solutions as the consultant for preparing the master plan. The contract is worth Rs 6.64 crore.

What is being considered?

Infrastructure development will be a major focus of the long-term plan. The study will examine the scope for a second runway, new taxiways and other developments on the airside of the airport.

Expansion of passenger terminals and the cargo complex will also be studied as part of the plan. Improving multimodal connectivity to the airport and identifying future land requirements are among the other areas under consideration.

The master plan will also look at aviation growth possibilities over the next 25 years and examine the environmental and social impact of the proposed projects.

The long-term exercise comes after Kochi airport completed 25 years of operations, during which passenger traffic rose to 1.14 crore and the number of flight services reached 73,134.

With passenger numbers and aircraft movements expected to increase further in the coming years, the consultancy's key task will be to work out development strategies capable of meeting future demand.

Jacobs Solutions has already begun the study and is expected to submit its report within 10 months.

The recommendations will then be examined by the CIAL Board of Directors, following which further decisions on the proposed development projects will be taken.