Sarla Aviation and Cochin International Airport Limited have signed a partnership agreement to evaluate and develop the infrastructure required for AAM across Kerala.
The collaboration focuses on the integration of vertiport infrastructure within or adjacent to the Kochi Airport campus. By embedding these facilities into existing airport systems and regulatory frameworks, the initiative aims to provide seamless last-mile aerial connectivity for passengers arriving from both domestic and international flights. Kochi Airport is a primary hub for the state, making it a strategic anchor for a scalable mobility network that connects traditional aviation with electric vertical take-off and landing operations.
The phased partnership will involve identifying suitable land or elevated locations for vertiports and conducting feasibility assessments for priority flight corridors. The project also includes the design of commercial facilities intended to enhance the passenger experience while creating new revenue streams for the airport ecosystem.
Leisure travel is expected to be a primary driver for the adoption of this technology. Currently, the onward journey from the airport to many of Kerala’s famous backwaters, hill stations, and wellness retreats can take several hours by road. By utilizing aerial taxi routes, international and domestic travelers could significantly reduce transit times to high-demand tourism corridors.
Potential future routes are being considered to link Kochi Airport with Kochi city, Munnar, Alleppey, Kovalam, Sabarimala, and Thrissur. These corridors would serve a variety of sectors, including luxury tourism, medical travel, and pilgrimage transit, ensuring that the last mile of a journey is no longer the slowest part of the experience.
