Cochin Airport’s hotel project gets an impetus; It’s going to be TAJ CIAL
IHCL to invest Rs. 100 Cr. in Cochin Airport’s 5-star hotel
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL)’s ambitious 5-star hotel project gets a shot in the arm this week, after spending years to finalise the formalities of finding out a renowned operator. TATA group’s Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which owns the iconic luxury hotel brand ‘Taj’ will be operating CIAL’s five-star hotel at Kochi airport premises. CIAL constructed the 112 key hotel ideally located near the airport entrance as part of its land utilization program and also to provide the passengers with hospitality services at par with international standards. Taj CIAL at Cochin Airport is expected to be launched by mid of 2024. CIAL has awarded the contract to IHCL which envisages an investment of Rs. 100 crores by IHCL for standardization of its interiors as per their brand’s grades and measures. CIAL has completed the civil, MEP and allied works of the hotel which will be handed over to IHCL soon for the development of the interiors. As per the contract IHCL will share a percentage of the gross revenue generated from its operation with CIAL . Commenting on the partnership, Managing Director, CIAL Mr. S. Suhas IAS said that CIAL’s collaboration with IHCL will give a fillip to the airport operator’s development plan which envisages integration of aviation with the tourism and hospitality sectors. "We are looking forward to this association. As the Taj group is one of the renowned luxury hotel operators in the world, we hope that this collaboration will give spur to our plan to increase the revenue from non-aero 2 verticals. CIAL is eyeing exponential growth in air traffic movement with the introduction of the new fleet of aircraft by Tata-owned Air India. We are sure that this agreement will enhance the scope for a more meaningful association with one of the biggest airlines in the world’’, added Suhas. He attributed the success of CIAL’s ambitious hotel project’s bidding process to the guidance given by Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala & Chairman, CIAL and the Board of the Directors. The Taj Group informed that the project would become one of the most luxurious properties in Kerala. Presently they have almost 20 properties operating and upcoming in Kerala and this project is going to be 5th in Kochi, and the third largest. CIAL’s star hotel project is going to be a 112 key 5-star hotel spreading across 4 acres of land very next to the airport entrance, occupying a building footprint of 2.04 lakh sq. ft. This is planned as a ‘Basement+ Ground+ 6 floor structure with a Terrace floor’ having a speciality restaurant, service bar etc. The hotel is located opposite the Cochin International Airport boasts an uninterrupted view of the airport on one side and the mountains on the other. Owing to this monopoly, the planning is done to host rooms on either side. Other features of this project include a 440 sqm banquet hall, two boardrooms and a terrace dining area offering a panoramic view of the airport. CIAL, which commissioned its ultra-luxurious business jet terminal in December 2022 owns an 18-hole golf course, and a convention centre and is planning to scale up its portfolios in the hospitality sector by adding more non-aero projects including a commercial zone.