Tenders

CIAL/TSD/AS/ADV/01                                                                                                                  23/10/2026

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR ASSOCIATION / COLLABORATION IN ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT SIMULATOR, PILOT TRAINING AND FLYING SCHOOL FACILITIES AT COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1. INTRODUCTION

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from reputed national and international aircraft manufacturers, simulator manufacturers / OEMs, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) / flying schools, airlines, aircraft operators, for development, establishment and/or operation of aviation training facilities.

The purpose of this EOI is to identify interested parties, assess available expertise and obtain preliminary proposals for potential collaboration. The project scope, location, investment arrangement, ownership structure and mode of implementation have not been finalised.

2. SCOPE OF ASSOCIATION

The proposed areas of association may include one or more of the following:

1. Establishment and/or operation of aircraft Full Flight Simulators (FFS), Flight Training Devices (FTD), Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainers (FNPT), cockpit procedure trainers and other flight simulation equipment, including for Airbus A320 family, Boeing B737 family or other suitable aircraft types.
2. Establishment and/or operation of an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) for aircraft type-rating, initial and recurrent pilot training, proficiency checks, instrument training, command upgrade and other approved simulator-based training activities.
3. Collaboration with airlines and aircraft operators for cadet pilot programmes, dedicated or shared training facilities, long-term simulator utilisation, recurrent training and other airline-specific training requirements.
4. Establishment and/or operation of a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) / Flying School for ab-initio pilot training, Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and other approved flying training programmes. The proposed Flying Training Organisation / Flying School need not be located at Cochin International Airport or in Kochi and may be established at any suitable location within Kerala, subject to technical and operational feasibility, availability of suitable infrastructure and applicable regulatory approvals.

e)    Supply, installation, qualification support, operation, maintenance and life-cycle technical support of Full Flight Simulators and associated training systems.

Nature of association:

Interested organisations may submit proposals for one or more of the above activities. Organisations may express interest in individual components or an integrated aviation training facility. Proposals may involve technical collaboration, equipment supply and support, training operations, infrastructure development, investment, joint venture, lease / licence arrangements, public-private partnership, airline training commitment or any other appropriate model.  While aircraft simulator and associated training facilities are primarily envisaged at Cochin International Airport, proposals for establishing Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) / Flying Schools at any suitable location within Kerala shall also be considered. The final location, project scope and mode of association shall be determined by CIAL based on the proposals received, feasibility assessments and applicable statutory approvals.

 

3. DETAILS TO BE SUBMITTED BY INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS

Interested organisations shall submit a detailed proposal and may be required to make a presentation before CIAL, covering the following particulars, as applicable to their proposed area of association:

1. Details of the proposed aviation training facilities and activities, including the nature of training programmes, target trainees/customers, proposed aircraft types, training methodology and indicative annual training capacity.
2. In the case of aircraft simulation facilities, details of the proposed simulators/training devices, including type, quantity, broad technical specifications, qualification levels, training capabilities and compliance with applicable DGCA requirements.
3. In the case of Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), details of the proposed trainer aircraft fleet, flying base, runway and airspace requirements, ground-school facilities, aircraft maintenance arrangements, associated infrastructure and estimated annual student training capacity.
4. Details of the infrastructure required for the proposed facilities, including indicative land area, built-up area, building dimensions, electrical load, HVAC requirements, IT infrastructure, access facilities, utilities and other associated requirements.
5. Details of applicable statutory and regulatory approvals, including DGCA approvals, certifications and authorisations already held or proposed to be obtained for establishing and operating the respective training facilities.
6. Indicative capital investment, proposed investment participation, operational responsibilities, implementation schedule and expected infrastructure, financial or other support from CIAL, if any.
7. Proposed mode of association with CIAL, including joint venture, technical collaboration, infrastructure partnership, investment arrangement, training operations or any other suitable business model, clearly indicating the proposed roles and responsibilities of the respective parties.
8. Details of existing airline partnerships, training arrangements, potential customers and anticipated training demand, wherever applicable.
1. Any other relevant information, suggestions or proposals that may assist CIAL in evaluating the technical feasibility, commercial potential and suitability of the proposed association.

Note: The above information is sought solely for preliminary assessment and identification of potential collaboration opportunities. No specific simulator model, aircraft type, minimum investment, project structure or technical configuration has been prescribed under this EOI. The nature and scope of the proposed facilities, investment arrangements and suitable business model shall be determined by CIAL after evaluation of the EOIs received, subsequent discussions and feasibility assessments, subject to necessary approvals.

4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Expressions of Interest are invited from reputed Indian and international organisations having relevant expertise and experience in aircraft manufacturing, aircraft simulation technology, aviation training, airline/aircraft operations, aviation infrastructure development and other associated activities

The following categories of organisations shall be eligible to participate:

1. 1. Aircraft Manufacturers / OEMs: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of commercial aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing and other aircraft manufacturers.
   2. Aircraft Simulator Manufacturers / OEMs: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) engaged in the design, manufacture and supply of aircraft Full Flight Simulators (FFS), Flight Training Devices (FTD) and other aviation simulation equipment.
   3. Authorised Dealers / Representatives: Authorised dealers, distributors or representatives of aircraft simulator OEMs, holding valid authorisation from the respective manufacturer.
   4. Flying Training Organisations (FTOs): Organisations engaged in flying training, including Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training and other associated flying training activities.
   5. Approved Training Organisations (ATOs): Organisations engaged in aircraft type-rating, simulator-based pilot training, recurrent training and other specialised aviation training activities.
   6. Airlines / Aircraft Operators: Domestic and international airlines, scheduled and non-scheduled aircraft operators and other aviation operators interested in establishing, operating or utilising aviation training facilities in association with CIAL.
2. The applicant shall meet the following minimum financial eligibility criteria, wherever applicable:
   1. Aircraft Manufacturers / Aircraft Simulator OEMs / Airlines / Aircraft Operators: The applicant shall have a minimum annual turnover of ?100 crore (Rupees One Hundred Crore only) in any one of the last three completed audited financial years.
   2. Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) / Authorised Dealers/ Approved Training Organisations (ATOs):

Flying Training Organisations (FTOs)/ Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and authorised dealers/distributors of aircraft simulator OEMs shall have a minimum annual turnover of ?35 crore (Rupees Thirty-Five Crore only) in any one of the last three completed audited financial years.

1. 3.  Profitability and Net Worth:

The applicant shall have earned a net profit in at least one of the last three completed audited financial years and shall have a positive net worth as on 31.03.2026.

1. 4. Supporting Documents:

The applicant shall submit audited financial statements for the last three completed financial years, along with a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant (CA), bearing a valid Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN), certifying the annual turnover, profitability and net worth of the applicant. In the case of overseas applicants, equivalent certification issued by a duly authorised financial professional may be accepted.

Note: For the purpose of evaluating the above financial eligibility criteria, the last three completed financial years shall be 2023–24, 2024–25 and 2025–26.

3. Applicants may submit their EOI individually or as part of a consortium, joint venture or proposed partnership. In the case of consortiums or joint ventures, the respective roles and responsibilities of the participating organisations shall be clearly indicated.
4. Applicants shall submit their organisation profile, details of relevant experience, existing facilities/projects, major customers or partnerships, and applicable licences, approvals or certifications, wherever available. Aircraft simulator manufacturers and their authorised dealers shall furnish details of simulator models offered, installations undertaken and relevant technical capabilities.
5. Airlines and aircraft operators interested in establishing dedicated or shared aviation training facilities, participating in joint training initiatives or entering into long-term training arrangements with CIAL shall also be eligible to submit their Expressions of Interest, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
6. Indian and overseas organisations shall be eligible to participate in the EOI. For foreign applicants, it is subject to government of India rules on foreign investment and security clearance.
7. Applicants proposing to establish or operate Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) / Flying Schools shall submit details of their safety performance and accident/incident history for the preceding five (5) years. A self-certified declaration, duly signed by the authorised signatory, providing details of all aircraft accidents, serious incidents and other reportable aviation safety occurrences involving the applicant's flying training operations during the preceding five (5) years. Applicants having no reportable accidents or serious incidents during the specified period shall submit a declaration to that effect. CIAL reserves the right to verify the information furnished through DGCA, AAIB or other competent regulatory authorities, wherever necessary.

 

5. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

EOI shall consist of:

1. Covering Letter: A covering letter on the organisation's official letterhead, duly signed by an authorised representative, expressing interest in associating with CIAL.
2. Organisation Details: Company profile, incorporation/registration details, registered office address, contact particulars and details of the authorised signatory.
3. Area of Interest: Details of the applicant's category and the specific area(s) of proposed association, such as aircraft simulator facilities, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), airline training partnerships or other aviation training activities.
4. Eligibility Documents: Documentary evidence demonstrating compliance with the eligibility criteria specified under Clause 4 of this EOI, including applicable financial, technical, statutory and regulatory requirements.
5. Proposed Training Facilities: A brief concept notes outlining the proposed training facilities/activities, technical capabilities, aircraft/simulator types, training programmes, indicative training capacity and associated infrastructure requirements.
6. Proposed Collaboration Model: Details of the preferred mode of association with CIAL, including the proposed roles and responsibilities of the respective parties, indicative investment arrangements, operational responsibilities and expected support from CIAL, if any.
7. Implementation Plan: Indicative project implementation schedule, including major activities, proposed timelines and applicable regulatory approvals required for establishing and operating the proposed facilities.
8. Market Potential: Details of anticipated training demand, existing or proposed airline/customer associations, expected training utilisation and potential business opportunities, wherever available.
1. Relevant Experience: Details of previous and ongoing projects, existing aviation training facilities, simulator installations, flying training operations, relevant partnerships and supporting documents, as applicable.
10. Additional Information: Any other relevant information, suggestions or proposals that may assist CIAL in assessing the feasibility and potential opportunities for collaboration in aviation training infrastructure.

Interested organisations shall submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), along with all relevant documents specified under Clause 5, as a hard copy in a sealed envelope, duly signed by the authorised representative of the organisation.

 

The EOI shall be submitted to:

The Managing Director

Cochin International Airport Limited

Kochi Airport P.O., Ernakulam,

Kerala – 683111, India.

 

The sealed envelope shall be clearly marked:

 

“Expression of Interest (EOI) for Association / Collaboration in Establishing Aviation Training Facilities at CIAL.”

 

Last Date and Time for Submission:

The completed EOI, along with all supporting documents, shall reach CIAL on or before 1500 hrs on 20^th Nov 2026. EOIs received after the prescribed closing date and time may not be considered.

Interested organisations requiring any clarification regarding the EOI may contact tsd@cial.aero, sojan@cial.aero Ph: 9539701537.

 

All queries shall preferably be submitted through email, mentioning the EOI reference number and subject.

 

6. EVALUATION AND FURTHER PROCESS

a)  CIAL will review the EOIs for understanding the areas of interest, relevant experience, proposed technical solutions, infrastructure needs and possible collaboration arrangements.

b)  CIAL may seek clarifications, invite presentations, hold consultations with one or more applicants, and undertake technical, operational, market and commercial feasibility assessments.

c)  CIAL may explore separate arrangements for simulator facilities, ATO operations, flying schools, airline partnerships or other components, or consider an integrated project, as appropriate.

d)  The final project structure, scope and any subsequent procurement / partner-selection procedure shall be decided by CIAL separately by a tendering process as per CIAL guidelines.

7. GENERAL CONDITIONS

a)  This EOI is issued solely for preliminary market assessment and identification of potential collaborators. It is not a tender, request for financial bid, offer to award a contract or commitment to proceed with any project.

b)  Submission or acknowledgement of an EOI shall not create any right to selection, exclusivity, reimbursement, land allocation or other contractual entitlement.

c)  CIAL reserves the right to seek further information, modify the scope, conduct further consultations, or defer / discontinue the initiative, subject to applicable law.

d)  Applicants shall bear all costs associated with preparing and submitting their EOIs. No financial bid is required at this stage; any financial information furnished shall be indicative and non-binding.

e) All proposed activities shall be subject to applicable statutory, regulatory, airport operational, safety and security requirements and necessary approvals.

f)  Participation or non-participation in this EOI shall not, by itself, confer preference or determine eligibility in any subsequent procurement or partnership process.

Submission of an EOI shall not confer any right on an applicant to be selected or awarded a contract. CIAL reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EOIs, cancel or modify the process, and proceed with a subsequent tender or quotation process, subject to applicable rules and without assigning reasons where legally permissible.

 

 

Sd/-

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Cochin International Airport Limited