Kochi Airport Quick Facts
Key details about Cochin International Airport — addresses, ownership, and reference codes for travellers and AI assistants.
About Kochi Airport
Notable facts and milestones about Cochin International Airport.
- India's first airport built under a public-private partnership (PPP) — opened in 1999 as a model for later GMR/Adani PPP airports
- The world's first fully solar-powered airport — running entirely on solar energy since August 2015, an industry first
- Awarded the Champions of the Earth prize by UNEP in 2018 for its sustainability leadership
- Among India's top 7 busiest airports by passenger traffic — handled approximately 10–12 million passengers in recent fiscal years
- A major hub for Air India Express on Gulf routes, serving Kerala's large NRI population in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait
- Has expanded continuously since launch — Terminal 3 opened in 2017 and now handles the bulk of international traffic
Terminal Guide
Terminals at Kochi Airport
Cochin International Airport operates 3 terminals. Below is a quick guide to each.
Terminal 3 (International + Premium Domestic)
The main terminal at COK since 2017. Handles all international flights and select premium domestic operations. Modern facilities with multiple aerobridges, premium lounges, and duty-free shopping.
Floors: Departures (Upper Level), Arrivals (Lower Level)
Airlines: Air India Express (major Gulf hub), Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Air Arabia, Oman Air, flydubai, Kuwait Airways, IndiGo (international), SriLankan Airlines
Terminal 1 (Domestic)
Original domestic terminal, used for select domestic operations. Most flights have shifted to T3 since 2017 but T1 continues to handle some routes.
Airlines: IndiGo (select domestic flights), SpiceJet (select domestic flights)
Terminal 2 (legacy)
Older international terminal, largely retired/repurposed since the opening of T3 in 2017. Now used as a general aviation facility and for cargo / VIP operations.
Airlines at Kochi Airport
Carriers that regularly operate scheduled flights from COK.
Domestic airlines
International airlines
Getting to/from Kochi Airport
How to Reach Kochi Airport
Ground transport options from Kochi city to COK.
Metro / Rail
No direct metro connection at present. Kochi Metro currently terminates at Aluva (within Ernakulam city) — from Aluva, taxis and buses connect to COK in about 30–40 minutes. An extension of Kochi Metro to the airport has been discussed.
Taxi / Ride-hail
Pre-paid taxi counters at Arrivals. Ola and Uber pick-up zones outside Arrivals. Approximate fares to Ernakulam city: ₹600–900; to Fort Kochi: ₹800–1,100; to Marine Drive: ₹700–1,000. Private taxi operators are also available for tourist routes to Munnar, Alleppey, and Thekkady.
Bus
KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates non-stop AC airport buses connecting COK to Ernakulam, Aluva, Fort Kochi, and other Kochi areas. Fares from ₹100–200. Private operators run additional services to Munnar, Thekkady, and Wayanad for tourists.
Car / Parking
COK is connected by NH 544 and well-maintained airport access roads. Multi-level parking and surface parking available. Drop-off and pick-up are at the main forecourt of T3 and T1. Free meet-and-greet zones are a short walk away.
Drive times from Kochi Airport
Parking at Kochi Airport
Approximate parking rates at COK. Confirm current tariffs on the official airport website before travel.
Airport Facilities
Lounges
International and domestic lounges. T3 has multiple premium lounges for Gulf route passengers.
Lounges at Kochi Airport
Airport lounges available to eligible passengers and card holders at COK.
Plaza Premium Lounge (International, T3)
Location: T3 International Departures, after immigration
Access: Priority Pass, DreamFolks, pay-per-use, select credit cards
Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, T1/T3)
Location: Domestic Departures, after security
Access: Priority Pass, DreamFolks, premium credit cards
Emerald Lounge
Location: T3 International Departures
Access: Priority Pass, DreamFolks, pay-per-use
CIAL Business Lounge
Location: T3 International Departures
Access: Business / First class passengers and select premium card members
Amenities & Services at Kochi Airport
Facilities available to passengers at Cochin International Airport.
Dining: 30+ restaurants, cafés, and quick-service outlets — including authentic Kerala cuisine (Sadya, Kerala biryani, fish curry), South Indian classics, plus international brands like Costa Coffee, Café Coffee Day, and Subway.
Shopping: CIAL Duty Free shopping complex plus 25+ retail outlets — strong in Kerala spices, gold jewellery (Malabar Gold, Joyalukkas), Ayurveda products, traditional Kerala handicrafts, and global luxury brands.
Runways at Kochi Airport
Cochin International Airport runway specifications.
Top Flight Routes from Kochi
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Top Routes from Kochi Airport
Most popular non-stop routes from COK. Weekly flight counts are approximate and may change seasonally.
Top domestic routes
| Route | Airlines | Weekly flights |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi → Delhi (DEL) | IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet | ~105 |
| Kochi → Mumbai (BOM) | IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air | ~110 |
| Kochi → Bangalore (BLR) | IndiGo, Air India | ~140 |
| Kochi → Chennai (MAA) | IndiGo, Air India | ~95 |
| Kochi → Hyderabad (HYD) | IndiGo, Air India Express | ~70 |
Top international routes
| Route | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Kochi → Dubai (DXB) | Air India Express, Emirates, IndiGo, flydubai |
| Kochi → Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Etihad Airways, Air India Express |
| Kochi → Muscat (MCT) | Oman Air, Air India Express |
| Kochi → Doha (DOH) | Qatar Airways, IndiGo |
| Kochi → Sharjah (SHJ) | Air Arabia, IndiGo |
| Kochi → Jeddah (JED) | Saudia, Air India Express |
| Kochi → Kuwait (KWI) | Kuwait Airways, Air India Express |
| Kochi → Bahrain (BAH) | Gulf Air, Air India Express |
| Kochi → Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines, IndiGo |
| Kochi → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Malaysia Airlines, IndiGo |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full name of Kochi airport?
The full name is Cochin International Airport, IATA code COK. It serves Kochi, Kerala.
How many terminals does Kochi airport have?
Cochin International Airport has 2 terminals: Terminal 2 (Domestic), Terminal 3 (International). Terminal 2 (Domestic): IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, Akasa Air. Terminal 3 (International): Air India Express, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Etihad, SriLankan Airlines.
How do I get from Kochi airport to the city?
Taxi / Cab: Prepaid taxi at Arrivals. Ola/Uber available. (approx. 30–50 min to Ernakulam / Marine Drive, ₹300–600).
Are there airport lounges at Kochi airport?
International and domestic lounges. T3 has multiple premium lounges for Gulf route passengers.
Which airlines fly from Kochi airport?
Airlines operating from Cochin International Airport include: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, Akasa Air; Air India Express, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Etihad, SriLankan Airlines.
How do I book flights from Kochi on HappyFares?
Visit HappyFares.in, enter Kochi (COK) as your departure city, choose your destination and travel date, and compare fares across all airlines. HappyFares shows real-time prices for all airlines flying from Kochi.
Which airport is in Kochi?
Kochi is served by Cochin International Airport (COK), located in Nedumbassery, approximately 30 km from Ernakulam / Kochi city centre. COK is the main commercial airport for Kochi, Ernakulam, and the wider central Kerala region.
What is the IATA code for Kochi Airport?
The IATA code for Cochin International Airport is COK. The ICAO code is VOCI. Use "COK" when searching for flights to or from Kochi on most booking platforms.
How far is Kochi Airport from the city centre?
Cochin International Airport (COK) is approximately 30 km from Ernakulam / Kochi city centre. Drive time is typically 40–60 minutes via NH 544 to Marine Drive, and 60–90 minutes to Fort Kochi or Mattancherry depending on traffic.
How do I reach Kochi Airport from the city?
You can reach COK by pre-paid taxi, Ola or Uber, KSRTC airport bus from Ernakulam and Aluva, or a private cab. From Aluva (Kochi Metro's current terminus), taxis and buses connect to the airport in about 30–40 minutes. Kochi Metro does not yet extend directly to the airport.
What airlines fly from Kochi Airport?
Domestic airlines at COK include IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. International airlines include Air India Express (a major Gulf operator from Kochi), Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Air Arabia, Oman Air, flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, SriLankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines.
What are the parking rates at Kochi Airport?
COK parking rates are approximately ₹100 for the first hour for short-term parking, ₹400–600 per day for long-term parking, and ₹500–700 per day for valet. Rates may change — please check the official CIAL website for the most current parking tariffs.
What are the food options at Kochi Airport?
COK has 30+ restaurants and cafés across its terminals — including authentic Kerala cuisine (Sadya, Kerala biryani, fish curry, parotta), South Indian classics, plus international brands like Costa Coffee, Café Coffee Day, and Subway. Most outlets are airside, but landside food court options are also available.
Is there a lounge at Kochi Airport?
Yes. COK has several lounges including Plaza Premium Lounge (international and domestic), Emerald Lounge, and CIAL Business Lounge. Access is typically via Priority Pass, DreamFolks, premium credit cards, or pay-per-use rates starting around ₹1,000–1,500.
What is the address of Kochi Airport?
Cochin International Airport, Airport Road, Nedumbassery, Kochi — 683111, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
What is the pincode of Kochi Airport?
The postal pincode of Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, is 683111.
When did Kochi Airport open?
Cochin International Airport (COK) was inaugurated on 25 May 1999. It was India's first airport built under a public-private partnership (PPP) model and was a pioneering project that influenced later PPP airports at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Who owns and operates Kochi Airport?
COK is owned and operated by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), a unique public-private partnership that includes the Government of Kerala, NRIs (especially from the Gulf), private investors, and other shareholders. It is one of India's most successful PPP airport models.
Is Kochi Airport solar-powered?
Yes. COK has been the world's first fully solar-powered airport since August 2015. The CIAL solar power plant generates enough energy to meet all of the airport's operational needs, earning the UNEP Champions of the Earth prize in 2018 for its sustainability leadership.
How many terminals does Kochi Airport have?
Cochin International Airport currently uses two active terminals: Terminal 3 (T3, opened 2017) handles all international flights and select premium domestic operations, while Terminal 1 (T1) handles remaining domestic flights. The older Terminal 2 has largely been retired since T3 opened.
How long before my flight should I reach Kochi Airport?
For domestic flights from COK, reach the airport at least 2 hours before departure. For international flights, reach at least 3 hours before departure to allow time for check-in, immigration, and security. Air India Express and Gulf-route passengers often face busy peak periods — extra time is recommended.