Kochi airport: Smart gates for international travellers, with 20-second self-immigration facility to be launched

Soon, international travellers will be able to complete the self-immigration process in Kochi airport in 20 seconds at specially designed smart gates. All they need to do is a one-time registration process on the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) portal with the necessary documents and biometrics. With this, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) will become the second airport in India to implement the MHA’s 'Trusted Traveller Programme,' which facilitates a seamless immigration process through self-authentication at smart gates at immigration counters. The facility was rolled out at the Delhi International Airport in June and it will be rolled out at CIAL in August this year. 

How to do self-immigration at CIAL?
CIAL has begun setting up facilities, dedicating eight lanes to biometric e-gates for the speedy process. It will make immigration clearance fast for eligible Indian and foreign nationals holding the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards. This is what applicants must do:
1) Complete a one-time registration on the MHA's portal 
2) Upload necessary documents including a passport-size photo that is not more than six months old in a plain white background, a scanned copy of a passport with a minimum 6 months validity, address proof and a scanned copy of an OCI card.

3) Enrol their biometrics at any of the designated international airports in India, help desks or the nearest FRRO office.
4) If validation is successful through mobile OTP, travellers can use smart gates by self-scanning their passports and using a face recognition system. 
The Bureau of Immigration at Cochin International Airport has already established an enrollment facility at the FRRO office within Kochi Airport premises and help desks at the immigration area.

Premium transit lounge 
The passengers who travel via the airport can also soon stay inside the airport, in the premium 0484 – transit lounge, which is expected to be launched soon. While the hotels in the vicinity charge rent daily, you could rent rooms in the lounge on Flexi rates from up to four hours onwards. The stylishly designed transit lounge that boasts modern facilities has been arranged in the arrival area of the old domestic terminal. There are 42 rooms, five conference halls and four suite rooms in the transit lounge. Interestingly, facilities for holding business meetings and conferences are arranged inside the airport itself. Besides, a gym, bar, spa and a restaurant are part of this lounge. Meanwhile, professional agencies have been roped in to run the premium transit lounge in the airport. The lounge is likely to be inaugurated by the middle of next month. Last year, more than 10 million passengers used the domestic and international transits in Cochin International Airport. 

CIAL hopes to increase the income generated by the non–Aero projects when the Taj CIAL hotel, with 112 rooms, opens in November. Currently, around 60% of CIAL’s income comes from aero projects like the operating and parking fees of aircraft. It is possible to increase the income from non–Aero projects, at least by 50%, when the transit lounge, Taj Hotel, golf resort and commercial area become operational. Such income achievements could help in reducing service charges like the user fee or allowing relaxations in landing fees. This may even lead to affordable air tickets in the future.