Nedumbassery: Tata group’s Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which owns the iconic luxury hotel brand ‘Taj’ will be operating Cochin International Airport Limited CIAL’s five-star hotel at Kochi airport premises.
CIAL constructed the 112 key hotel ideally located near the airport entrance as part of its land utilization programme and also to provide the passengers with hospitality services at par with international standards. Taj CIAL at Cochin Airport is expected to be launched by mid of 2024.
CIAL has awarded the contract to IHCL which envisages an investment of Rs. 100 crores by IHCL for standardization of its interiors as per their brand’s grades and measures. CIAL has completed the civil, MEP and allied works of the hotel which will be handed over to IHCL soon for the development of the interiors. As per the contract, IHCL will share a percentage of the gross revenue generated from its operation with CIAL.
In a release, S Suhas IAS, MD of CIAL said, “CIAL’s collaboration with IHCL will give a fillip to the airport operator’s development plan which envisages integration of aviation with the tourism and hospitality sectors. As the Taj group is one of the renowned luxury hotel operators in the world, we hope that this collaboration will give a spur to our plan to increase the revenue from non-aero verticals. CIAL is eyeing exponential growth in air traffic movement with the introduction of the new fleet of aircraft by Tata-owned Air India”.
The Taj Group informed that the project would become one of the most luxurious properties in Kerala. Presently they have almost 20 properties operating and upcoming in Kerala and this project is going to be the fifth in Kochi.
The 5-star hotel is spread across 4 acres of land, occupying a building footprint of 2.04 lakh sq ft. This is planned as a ‘Basement+Ground+6 floor structure with a Terrace floor’ having a speciality restaurant, service bar etc. The hotel is located opposite the Cochin International Airport and boasts an uninterrupted view of the airport on one side. Other features of this project include a 440 sqm banquet hall, two boardrooms and a terrace dining area offering a panoramic view of the airport.
Kerala Biz News