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- COCHIN AIRPORT
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Cochin Airport by J Taverner
4 February 2008 Customer Rating :
For a small Indian airport was surprised at the high standards. Having a major upgrade so
scaffolding about. Public toilets clean and tidy. Lounge on left on entry is a joke, but good coffee
and toast. BTW, economy pax can get in for free if they have a Gold Mastercard - no charge.
Cochin Airport by Kurt Müller
28 February 2007 Customer Rating :
Departed around 10 p.m. and found check-in area devoid of any crowds.
Then proceeded to coffee shop at left of check-in area which also
doubles as lounge for a number of airlines, (incl. Emirates). I doubt
whether this establishment will still be in business on my next trip.
They never served alcohol in the past, but now they have even stopped
serving soft drinks (cola, lemonade). However, they do serve Red Bull -
go figure. They charge Rs 240 (around US$ 6) for a cheese sandwich -
outrageous in a country such as India. Duty Free Shop prices are in US$,
but no flights depart from here to US. If you elect to pay in a currency
of any destination country (e.g. UAE Dirhams), they will overcharge you
on the exchange rate and then again by not having small change. Total
premium: 15%. On the upside: waiting time at immigration has improved,
but when exiting India, your patience is sorely tried by the extensive
scrutiny that Indian travel documents are apparently subjected to.
Cochin Airport by John Lumby
27 February 2007 Customer Rating :
I wonder if Guy Liardet went through the same airport as I did? It was a shambles. Check-in was fine
but the problems arose at baggage screening and immigration. It took an hour to clear those two
obstacles as the security guard could not recognize two books in my suitcase and I therefore had to
open my case and in the next queue airport staff were not checking that departing passengers had
completed their exit slips for immigration and as a result many had to fill them in in front of the
immigration officers meaning that it took 5 minutes to see two people.
So by the time security had been cleared we had to go straight to boarding. No time for lounges,
duty free or anything.
Cochin Airport by Guy Liardet
26 February 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
Clean and well run if a bit spartan. Airside lounge very comfortable,
some catering. Both gender toilets clean and well maintained. There
were, however, seven or eight administrative hurdles (X-ray this, X-ray
that, boarding card, emigration, stamp this, customs, stamp that, check
again) to cross.
Cochin Airport by Vijay Sampat
30 November 2005 Customer Rating :
n/a
Cochin Airport is definitely in a higher league than any other airport
in India. For amount of traffic handled, the layout and size is more
than adequate. Still not as efficient as it could be, though. The desk
placed in front of the security area was staffed by 5 people, but only
one was actually doing any work (checking boarding passes) whilst the
other four were clearly not engaged in productive activity. I would have
preferred to see what for Indian conditions is a whopping airport tax of
Rs 500 (collected in cash and on top of the various taxes already
charged to your ticket) being used to provide a wireless LAN instead of
overstaffing by a factor of 5.
Cochin Airport by Zacharia Varghese
5
July 2005
Cochin, though the principal business center of the very small south Indian state of
Kerala, is hardly a grand city. I remember well the old naval station that served as
Cochin's past airport. The new airport is leaps and bounds better, and given the
humble nature of its surroundings, a marvel. Compared to other Indian airports, this
is undoubtably one of the best in the country. I have found service to be clean,
efficient, and relatively friendly. Is this Changi or Heathrow or Hong Kong - no. Is
Cochin in the same league with these places - no. Is the shopping great - no. Who
goes to a Kerala airport to shop? (Although I bought a bottle of Grand Marnier there
at an excellent price.) I must say that many European and American airports I have
travelled through haven't the same charm as this small outpost. The seating in the
waiting area, though "auditorium style," is among the most classy I have seen in any
airport, and RS500 (~USD 11, only for international flights outbound) is not much for
an international traveller.
Cochin Airport by Joe Sebastian
29
December 2004
This airport was opened a few years ago as India's first privately financed airport so when I went
to Kerala a few weeks ago , I had expected to find a highly efficient and modern airport on a par
with Singapore's Changi or KLIA. The terminal looks drab and antiquated, and is already showing
signs of poor maintenance. Facilities and shopping opportunities are very basic. When I landed there
were only 4 immigration counters open and the small holding bay was absolutely packed with just one
flight; when another flight landed there was no room to accommodate all the passengers in the
immigration area. Unlike other Indian airports, on departing we are expected to pay 'an airport
users fee' of RS500, despite having prepaid airport tax which I thought was cheeky in view
of the poor service. With private backing this airport should have been truly world class and a
great opportunity has been missed.
Cochin Airport by Chris Matthews
15
November 2004
Inbound was'nt too bad with immigration completed quickly- but then we were at the front of the
queue and those behind had a very long wait with only 3 staff working. Outbound was poor - not much
attention paid to security- none of the usual questions etc , but all the bags were x- rayed. The
worst aspect is the lack of any catering after immigration- you can buy a coffee but thats it!!! For
an early morning flight we were starving and could have done with something a bit more. Beware of
the unexpected R500 (cash only) airport charge which you dont find out about until you're checking
in and all of your Indian Money is spent.
Cochin Airport by Varghese Abraham
4
April 2004
I have used Cochin aiport three times now. As expressed by other people the airport serves its
purpose with no foresight and a vision for the future. The immigration and
customers check take ages
to complete. Why can't we Indians build more space and money into our mindset.
Cochin Airport by S Thomas
22
March 2004
I have flown in and out of the new Cochin Airport many times in the last few years. Even though
this airport is cleaner compared those of Bombay and Delhi, I find the amenities to be very basic.
This airport is far below the international standards and I am sad to see the lack of vision by
planners of this airport. The sitting area is so clustered you will feel that you are sitting
in a big auditorium.
Cochin Airport by C Baroo
18
January 2004
I flew in and out of Cochin airport (Nov '03 & Jan '04) and found it to a clean, friendly (even the
security people had smiles), and efficient. A nice surprise after Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta
airports. If you're going to Kerala I definitely would consider Cochin as an arrival point.
Cochin Airport by Jimmy Jose
2 June 2003
Started with just 1 international airline and 1 domestic
airline three years back, its now serving 10 international airlines and 2 domestic airlines with a
traffic of 250 flights per week. A new terminal complex coming up with
all the latest stuff. This airport is dream come true for all the
people from a tiny state called Kerala.
Cochin Airport by Angelo Castelino
28 April 2003
I recently flew into and out of Cochin airport, India. There has been much hype about this airport
as I understand that it is India's only private airport. The facilities are very basic and
regretfully woefully small. It has the trademarks of Indian planning with absolutely no foresight.
This much hyped up airport will be outdated and outgrown within the next two years. Typical of other
airports in India. The Check In areas are small and so is the Customs and Immigration
areas. I flew
out on a Silkair A320 and still had to wait for 20 minutes at the security gate queue. Its a pity,
the CIAL has gone the AAI way.
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