• 50 Crore Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Project Announced
• First Covered Aircraft Parking Facility in Kerala
Kochi: Cochin International Aviation Services Limited (CIASL) has unveiled an ambitious ?50 crore project aimed at transforming Kochi into a major aircraft maintenance hub on the Indian aviation map. CIASL Chairman S. Suhas IAS inaugurated the stone laying ceremony of the construction of CIASL’s third Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hangar cum covered parking facility at Cochin International Airport.
The new hangar, spread across 53 ,800 square feet , is scheduled for completion within eight months.Positioned beside the upcoming CIASL Business Park, this hangar is designed to serve more than just narrow-body commercial aircraft. It’s a hub for business jets, helicopters, seaplanes — a space that adapts to India’s diverse aviation future.
Equipped with 7 thousand square feet of dedicated office and workshop space, and facilities for component repairs and non-destructive testing .It is part of CIASL’s broader vision to develop a self-sustaining aviation ecosystem in Kerala, aligned with the Government of India’s MRO policy under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Currently, major aircraft maintenance hubs are located in Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, while many Indian airlines continue to rely on international facilities in Singapore, UAE, and Sri Lanka, resulting in massive foreign exchange outflows. The expansion at Kochi aims to change this by offering a competitive, high-quality MRO solution within India. This initiative supports the broader goals of the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programs by enhancing domestic capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign service providers, and attracting overseas business to Indian soil. According to CIASL, this facility will position Kochi as a leading MRO destination in South Asia, catering to both domestic and foreign airlines.
Kerala’s First Covered Aircraft Parking Facility
Another ground-breaking feature of this development is the introduction of Kerala’s first-ever covered aircraft parking facility. Spanning an impressive 3.5 lakh square feet, this enclosed apron area can safely accommodate up to 13 narrow-body aircraft at once. This kind of infrastructure is crucial in protecting high-value aircraft from harsh weather conditions such as monsoon rains, heat, and salt-laden coastal winds, which can contribute to wear and corrosion. Moreover, it offers greater privacy and security for private jets and business aircraft, making Kochi a more attractive base for corporate and charter operations.
Hangar with Double Capacity
The existing hangars at Cochin International airport, can service only one narrow-body aircraft at a time, such as a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. In contrast, the new hangar will be capable of accommodating two narrow-body aircraft simultaneously. This effectively doubles the airport’s maintenance capacity and allows for greater operational efficiency, quicker turnaround times, and improved service for both domestic and international airlines.
Strategic Runway Connectivity
A unique operational advantage of this MRO hangar is its direct runway connectivity, something no other airport in Kerala currently offers. This seamless integration means aircraft can taxi directly from the runway to the hangars without complex ground coordination. The result is faster, safer, and more cost-efficient aircraft movement, a feature that strengthens Kochi’s appeal as a maintenance hub.
Job Creation
The project also promises a significant economic boost through job creation. More than 1,000 employment opportunities will be generated, with over 400 direct jobs in highly skilled areas such as aircraft engineering, technical maintenance, quality assurance, and aviation logistics. In addition to these, hundreds more indirect jobs will emerge across related sectors like construction, supply chain, airport support services, and technical training. This influx of opportunities not only stimulates local employment but also supports skill development in Kerala’s aviation ecosystem.
“This hangar is part of our mission to establish a complete aviation ecosystem in Kerala. It supports our goal of self-sufficiency in aircraft maintenance, brings foreign exchange earnings, and creates high-skilled jobs for the state,” says S. Suhas IAS, Chairman, CIASL.
Santosh J. Poovattil, Managing Director, CIASL said, “We aim to complete construction in eight months. This third hangar, with its enhanced capacity and unique covered aircarft parking infrastructure, will deliver unparalleled services to airlines. We’re also preparing for Phase 2 development worth ?150 crore”.
With this expansion, Cochin International Airport is poised to become a benchmark in aviation infrastructure, setting the stage for Kochi to emerge as a centre of excellence in the aircraft maintenance sector.