Kochi Airport, officially known as Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), is set to revolutionize the immigration process with a state-of-the-art self-authentication system.
It will become the second airport after Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to implement the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)’s prestigious ‘Fast Immigration — Trusted Traveller Programme’ (FTI-TTP). This innovation will enable passengers to complete their immigration checks in just 20 seconds.
The Trusted Traveller Programme
The MHA’s Traveller Programme streamlines the immigration process with biometric e-gates, eliminating manual checks for eligible Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards.
S. Suhas on Immigration Technology
CIAL Managing Director S. Suhas highlighted the advantages: “Implementing FTI-TTP at CIAL’s immigration counter will ensure a fast, safe, and seamless process. We are proud to collaborate with the Bureau of Immigration to facilitate fast-track biometric smart travel at our immigration counters. The biometric authentication process will reduce the immigration verification process time from 4 minutes to just 20 seconds.”
Infrastructure Makeover
CIAL announced that the facility will be launched by August 2024. Kochi Airport is undergoing a significant makeover in its immigration area. The airport is dedicating eight lanes to the new biometric e-gates. The fast-track immigration gates will be deployed this week, with testing starting soon.
These e-gates will allow international travelers to complete the immigration process independently in just 20 seconds. This facility was first introduced at Delhi International Airport in June.
How to Use Self-Immigration Service?
To use the self-immigration service, one must:
- Complete a one-time registration process on the MHA portal.
- Upload necessary documents.
- Enroll in biometrics (fingerprint and face image) at the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or help desks in the immigration area.
- Verify through a mobile OTP.
- Use the smart gates by:
- Self-scanning your passport.
- Using the face recognition system.
This process allows travelers to bypass long queues at the counters and eliminates the need for human interaction during immigration.
Benefits for International Travellers
The introduction of the self-immigration system at Kochi Airport brings numerous benefits for international travelers:
- Time Efficiency: The time saved at immigration counters allows passengers to enjoy their journey more and reduces the need to stand in long queues.
- Enhanced Security: The use of biometric data for verification ensures that only legitimate travellers are granted entry, improving overall security.
- Reduced Workload on Officers: This system reduces the workload on immigration officers, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks.
- Improved Travel Experience: Overall, the new system promises a smoother, faster, and more secure travel experience for everyone.
These enhancements collectively elevate the efficiency and convenience of the immigration process at Kochi Airport.
About CAIL
Located in Nedumbassery, near Kochi in Kerala, CIAL is one of the busiest airports in India. It was the first airport in the world to be fully powered by solar energy, setting an example of sustainability.
Established in 1999, CIAL has achieved incredible achievements over the years, which many other Indian airports established around the same time worked hard to achieve.
- Solar-powered airport: In 2015, CIAL became the first airport in the world to run entirely on solar power.
- Awards and recognitions: The airport has won several awards for its innovative and sustainable practices, including the Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations.
Future Plans of CIAL
CIAL might not stop with this. It has further plans to improve the airport’s facilities to meet the growing demands of passengers. Some things in it’s development list might have:
- Improving services: CIAL plans to further advance its services by providing more facilities and support for pet export. This includes better infrastructure and training for staff.
- Attracting more business: With this new permission, Cochin International Airport aims to attract more business from pet transportation companies, creating more jobs and boosting the local economy.
- Encouraging tourism: By providing better services, CIAL also hopes to attract more tourists who travel with their pets, making Kerala a more pet-friendly destination.
CIAL’s Financial Performance
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) had a great financial year in 2023-24. It earned ₹267.17 crore in profit. CIAL also had high overall earnings. It made ₹770.90 crore in revenue and ₹521.50 crore in operating profit. Its strong financial performance shows that it is focused on growth and sustainability in the aviation industry.
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