Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has once again crossed the 10-million passenger milestone, achieving double-digit million passenger traffic for the fourth consecutive financial year despite disruptions caused by operational constraints faced by certain airlines and the ongoing West Asia crisis.

During FY26, CIAL handled a total of 11,442,583 passengers and recorded 73,134 aircraft movements. May 2025 was the busiest month of the year, with passenger traffic touching 1,107,184.

Of the total passenger traffic, international passengers accounted for 5,401,939, while domestic passenger traffic stood at 6,040,644. Aircraft movements included 31,505 international and 41,629 domestic operations, reflecting balanced growth across both sectors.

Despite operational challenges faced by some airlines during the latter part of 2025 and temporary disruptions in international aviation linked to geopolitical developments in February and March, CIAL recorded a healthy passenger growth of 2.2 per cent during FY26.

S Suhas, Managing Director of CIAL, said the airport’s sustained growth was driven by continuous improvements in infrastructure, passenger facilitation, and operational efficiency under the “CIAL 2.0” transformation initiative.

The modernisation programmes and technology-enabled services have significantly enhanced passenger convenience through faster processing systems and improved service delivery. The trial introduction of full body scanners has also strengthened aviation security standards while reducing the need for extensive physical screening procedures, he said.

Published on May 7, 2026