Cochin Airport: The New Heart of Global Logistics

On 1 February 2026, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced plans to develop a multimodal cargo network integrating air, road, rail, and water transport, with Cochin International Airport (CIAL) as its primary hub.

The announcement was made during the plenary session of the International Cargo Business Summit, organized by CIAL in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as part of CIAL’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The Chief Minister highlighted CIAL’s achievement of handling over 65,000 tonnes of cargo in the previous financial year, with projections to reach 74,000 tonnes in the current year.

CIAL is also working towards certification to handle pharmaceutical cargo, which will commence immediately upon approval. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve noted that the presence of global logistics companies near CIAL is expected to further enhance cargo movement and strengthen the region’s logistics ecosystem.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.