Kochi to Kozhikode Air India Flights

  About Kochi

Kochi is one of the most dynamic cities and the commercial capital of Kerala. The city is constantly bustling while its surrounding remains true to its agricultural roots. Kochi, as a city, plays an essential port to the South-west coast of India. The ports are connected to the Maldives, Lakshadweep Island and many important coastal cities.

Despite having a blend of various seasons, the heat and humidity in the air continue to remain constant. However, that only makes travellers fly to Kochi instead. Not to mention how the gorgeous setting of the city and its impeccable connectivity that allows a traveller to traverse through various terrains.

Best time to visit Kochi

Kochi sees multitudes of seasons and climate all-year-long. Throughout the year, even know specific seasons are set and have been followed, every year, sudden twists in the western forecasts leave the locals in peril. The tropical setting of Kochi and even Kerala it ideal for summers and even winters. In fact, the months from October to February are actually enchanting and the best. The temperatures dawdle between 17 degree Celsius and 33 degree Celsius. Not only is the winter season perfect for backpackers and solo travellers but also couples and newlyweds who wish to go to honeymoon in Mumbai itself.

The months from March to June marks the start of summer in Kochi. The temperatures in Kochi during summer continues to escalate up to 37 degree Celsius. Although it is considered to be a good season to visit the city, it is only because there is less crowd. On off-seasons, tourists avoid visiting places as they fear unpleasant experiences. However, flying to Kochi on off-season might be helpful as people wouldn't have to deal with the excess tourist crowd. Plus, flight tickets to Kochi see some massive price drop. Many airlines also have flight deals to bring down the cost of a ticket to Kochi.

Monsoons in Kochi are exceptional. Even though it is not a peak season for the city as a rain-washed city would not be favourable for tourist activities, many travellers opt for monsoons. The main reason behind choosing monsoon as the best time to catch a flight to Kochi is that the city's lush greenery turns emerald as the backwaters dance under the torrent rains. Booking a hotel in Kochi during this season is also affordable as it is an off-season for hoteliers. The whole sight of the place is enchanting and definitely an unmemorable experience. Kochi experienced monsoon between July to September.

Places to see in Kochi

The gorgeous Arabian sea might border Kochi on one side, and the towering Western Ghats on the other but the melange of the two varied geographies only makes the city alluring. When in Kochi, you should definitely check out some of its famous beaches namely, Veeranpuzha Beach, Cherai Beach, Munambam Beach, Fort Kochi Beach and more. The city also has many pristine churches that should be visited. These are St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilican and the Paradesi Synagogue.

Besides these attractions, Kochi also has museums like Indo-Portuguese Museum, Ginger House Museum Hotel, Folklore Museum, and more than would enlighten you about their cultural heritage, their history and more. Not just the beaches but you should also check out what the lush green valleys close to Kochi have to offer. You can witness the Athirapally Falls and the Areekkal Falls. More than anything, you can visit the famous Lulu Shopping Mall too, which is right there in the city centre. You can further continue the pilgrimage by visiting temples such as Shiva Temple, Gowreeswara Temple Cherai, Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple, Thrikkakara Temple and more.

Things to do in Kochi

Elephant Training Centre

A little away from the city of Kochi is an adorable retreat for elephants. An Elephant Training centre has been established by the Ernakulam district where the animals are brought together to live in harmony. At the centre, these elephants are bathed and fed properly. The centre takes good care of the elephants and even allows visitors to come over and play with the giant animals. Visit this beautiful place and feel happy in the company of playful elephants who would keep you entertained with their goofiness.

Fort Ayurveda Spa

Kerala's Ayurvedic spas are world-renowned and for all the right reasons. The therapeutic massages and spa treatments actually help rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Kochi has the Fort Ayurveda Spa, which lives up to the reputation of providing the customers with excellent services. Book an appointment here and let your troubles be washed away by the gentle touch of a masseuse. The experience will be beautiful and certainly have a lasting effect on you.

Kathakali Centre

The classical dance form of Kathakali is enchanting and compelling. The performances usually have a backstory and a theme based on which the whole show is presented. The art would keep you engaged as the eyes of the dancers would hypnotise you. Often these performances express a certain Hindu mythological story.

Snorkelling at Thiruvankullam

Compared to other parts of coastal India, Kochi has extremely beautiful and clean beaches. The shores are just as bright and spotless as is the Arabian sea that touches the coasts. The clean and clear waters of Kochi have enabled snorkelling in the area. You can head to Thiruvankullam and take up the water activity. You will be surprised to see some exquisite marine life that's prevalent just miles away from the city of Kochi.

Backwater tour

Kochi connects to Alleppey, which is the hub of backwaters in Kerala. Although it is a few kilometres far from the main city, Alleppey has a harbour from where you can either choose a houseboat or a shikhara ride to explore the gorgeous backwaters lined by rice paddies.

Food and restaurants

Kochi's lifestyle is heavily inspired or rather influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and English. This is easily reflected in their way of living, lifestyle and more importantly, their cuisine as well. While they still have their special curry and parotha as the highlight of the state, the landscape of Kerala cuisine has seen quite a lot of transformations. As a coastal city, the cuisine mainly centres around exquisite seafood and Malabari food. As a developed city of India, Kochi manages to sustain the traditional cuisine as it also embraces other cuisines such as Asian, North Indian, Continental and more.

Sky Grill Lounge and Bar, Fort House, Asian Kitchen, The Rice Boat, Dhe Puttu, Fusion Bay are some of the finest restaurants that you will find in Kochi. You might not know this, but Kochi actually has a lot of quaint cafes to cater to the backpacking audience. In the city and close to the coastal area, you will find small joints and ventures that have a hipster vibe and attract the young crowd. It is a known fact that the seafood in Kerala is a delight to the taste buds. The city centre will acquaint you with not just exciting dishes but also taste and flavour that will be unforgettable.

How to reach Kochi (Transportation)

By Air

The Cochin International Airport, located 29 km away from the city centre sees excellent flight connectivity from Kochi to other major cities in India. In fact, the airport also has flights taking international routes from Kochi to Middle Eastern countries. Kochi airport is known to be one of the busiest and crowded airports thanks to the excellent connectivity it has with the other cities in the country as well as internationally. A plethora of flights fly from Kochi to cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and more. The city is always on demand and hence, getting good flight deals for Kochi becomes quite challenging. However, with good planning and timing, you might be able to get cheap flight tickets to Kochi and even decent flight deals.

By Rail

Just like the flight connectivity of Kochi with the rest of the major cities in India, even the railway network is strong. There are two railway stations, namely Kochi Railway Station and Ernakulam Junction Station that connect the city with the rest of the country. There are express trains too that travel to Kochi from Mumbai, Delhi and other big cities. Train tickets to Kochi can be booked online as well as physically at the railway station. The city is well-connected within the state too and has bus and railway services to ensure that the city's stature as one of the economically strong and developed places sustains.

By Road

Kochi has impeccable roadway network as well owing to the city being a commercial hub. The city doesn't just contribute to the state's economy but also to the country's and hence, is blessed with strong roadways network. Several buses enter and leave the city from various parts of the country. The neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, even Goa, have bus facilities that provide services to the city. The Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) travels through several cities, including Kochi. There are options for AC and Non-AC buses that you can choose from for your travel needs.

  About Kozhikode

Formerly known as Calicut, the city of Kozhikode is one of the major commercial cities in the Kerala state. After Kochi, Kozhikode is the second biggest commercial capital of Kerala with its extensive overseas businesses. Over the years, Kozhikode has been transformed into a modern city with traces of its traditional culture still intact. It is a proper city with quaint cafes, malls, and more importantly, a hub to some of the biggest educational institutions in India. From Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode has illustrious colleges and universities.

The city is entirely developed with an international airport in place. Although it is located a little away from the city centre, the airport has a plethora of Indian and international airlines providing services. The flight connectivity to and from Kozhikode is excellent, making it one of the best in the country. It also caters to overseas flying.

Best time to visit Kozhikode

Kozhikode enjoys tropical weather, much like the rest of Kerala. The summers are scorching and the winters sublime. While the beaches look beautiful during summers as the blue waters taunt back, the winter season is the best time to visit Kozhikode. During winters, the temperature in Kozhikode drops to 14 degree Celsius, making it exceptionally tourist-friendly. You can pick up your swimming trunks and head straight to the waters without having to worry about heat strokes and dehydration. October to February is winter for Kozhikode and also the peak season. Beyond this, you will be roasted as the summer heats would be too much to handle.

As a tropical city, humidity is in the air, and it only rises exponentially during summers. In fact, the temperatures soar to 37 degree Celsius. Venturing out under the summer sun in Kozhikode would be uncomfortable. The heat would further prevent you from exploring or sightseeing. Flight tickets to Kozhikode during summer would be cheap as it is off-season. Even accommodations would be affordable so if you do plan to take a trip, book yourself a luxury hotel in Kozhikode.

Places to visit in Kozhikode

Thikkoti Light House

As a coastal spot, there are many lighthouses in Kerala. Kozhikode also has a majestic lighthouse going by the name Thikkoti. Perched atop a small hill touching the Arabian Sea in the Thikkoti village, the lighthouse has been attracting tourists since its inception. The structure is at an elevated terrain which is said to be the remains of a shipwreck. The setting is so beautiful, especially from the top of the lighthouse.

Kozhikode Beach

Kozhikode Beach is one of the most popular and tourist's favourite. The beach's vibe is extremely relaxed and perfect for travellers who wish to unwind from the long day of sightseeing. The beach is known to offer a visual spectacle with the sky turning into various colours during sunset. Plus, it is only 1 km away from the railway station.

Beypore

Beypore is actually a shipbuilding port as well as a fishing harbour. One of the major reasons why you should add this to your list of places to visit in Kozhikode is because you will get to see how ships are built as well as get to see the busy fisherman head to the seas and return with delicious fish. Beypore is an important port in the West coast of India as not only does it build ships but is also essential for commercial purposes.

Thali Temple

The Thali Temple is another major tourist attraction in Kozhikode with pilgrims visiting to seek blessings from the deity. The temple is built to honour Lord Shiva, and a Shivalunga measuring about 2 ft is nestled perfectly within the premise. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples, and the sheer beauty lies in the simplicity with which it has been constructed.

Calicut Planetarium

Kozhikode has a Planetarium which will take you through some mysteries of the universe while you rest on a reclining chair. The place has a capacity of 250 visitors and is located close to the new bus stand. The Calicut Planetarium is always full with many visitors who are astronomy enthusiasts.

Things to do in Kozhikode

Drench yourself under the Kozhippara Falls

Located on the outskirts of Kakkadampoyli are the gorgeous Kozhippara Falls. Not only can you make a day of it as you hike through the trails, but you can also sit under the waterfall and relax.

Check out the Thusharagiri Falls

Nestled in the Western Ghats is the beautiful Thusharagiri waterfall. It is a little away from the main city, and you will have to trek towards the Lakkidi Ghat to reach the falls. It is quite the tourist spot in Kozhikode as many trekkers who would like to engage in outdoor activities. There are three waterfalls in the area which make quite the spectacle.

Hit the Sweet Street

There is a street in Kozhikode popular for the sweet savouries that they prepare. In fact, it is called Mithai Theravu, which translates to Sweet Street. It is actually one of the busiest streets in Kozhikode for all the right reasons. Pamper yourself with an array of delicious sweets and give yourself a sugar rush.

Watch shows at the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts

An art patron would be very much invested in the cultural heritage of Kerala. If you're one of them, then you should head to the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts which is an initiative undertaken by the Department of Tourism to promote and preserve the affluent art and culture of the state. While you're here, d check out the gorgeous backwaters that play a perfect setting for the place.

Food and Restaurants in Kozhikode

Kozhikode's food culture is a melange of Arab flavours interspersed with Indian culinary. It is known to be a foodie's hub as everyone here is enthused by the art of cooking with an acumen for exemplary cooking. The city has a unique take on culinary which is famously known as Mapilla cuisine with fish as the staple meat. The city is a foodie's paradise, and the more you try to explore, the more you'll be lost in the blissful flavours. Even though Kochi is known to have a thriving culinary scene, it is Kozhikode's flavourful food that takes the cake. You will be amazed by the exquisite food culture of the city.

Kozhikode's Paragon restaurant in Kannur Road is a haven for a biryani aficionado. The subtle mix of spices will leave you in a happy daze. Not to mention the Sulaimani tea that will go perfectly with the food. At Sagar restaurant sells delicious fish curry with pathiri which should definitely be tried. Then you have Zain's Hotel, a hotel run by women who have perfected the Mapilla cuisine. The Bombay Hotel in Silk Street also has some fantastic snacky fast food that will go down well with you. To indulge in something savoury, you can head to Maharaja Sweets where you'll find some exciting desserts like sticky halwa made from flour, jaggery and coconut oil.

How to reach Kozhikode (Transportation)

By Air

Kozhikode's airport has tremendously good connectivity with domestic cities as well as international destinations. Karipur airport, famously known as Calicut International Airport is about 23 km away from the city centre but has great internal network. There are numerous flights to and from Kozhikode flying to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and more. The best part about Kozhikode airport is that it also caters to international flights. The city's airport serves flights to Middle Eastern countries as there are international routes from Kozhikode that connect the city to foreign countries. With such impeccable flight connectivity to Kozhikode, travelling to the city is quite comfortable and convenient. You can book your flights to Kozhikode online and get some great flight deals in the process.

By Rail

Kozhikode also has its own railway station which connects the city to various states and metropolitans. You can find trains going to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mangalore, Kochi and more. A plethora of express trains and mails are available, some that cross the city and others with Kozhikode as the last stop. The station is also within the city limits, making travelling tad bit more manageable. You can easily travel within the city as there are transport facilities available right outside the Kozhikode station. In fact, you can book a hotel in Kozhikode which is in the proximity of the railway station. Some affordable hotel rooms are available near the railway station.

By Road

The road connectivity to and from Kozhikode to other major cities is also impressive. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have private as well as government-run buses which connect the city to Mangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and more. The big concern that comes from road transport is extensive travel hours. You will end up investing a lot of time on a bus when travelling from Kozhikode to other cities. However, some buses run in the day as well as night so you can pick a convenient option.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  About Cochin Airport

Cochin International Airport is located 25 km away from the city of Kochi, at Nedumbassery, in the state of Kerala. The Cochin Airport is the first airport in the country that has been developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project is funded by about 10,000 non-resident Indians (NRI) sprawled across 30 countries. The airport is known for its busy status as it is the most active in the state of Kerala. The airport is also the largest in the state. Cochin International Airport provides to ap[proximately 61 per cent of passenger movement. The Cochin Airport is also recognized nationally as the fourth busiest airport, with respect to international traffic and eighth most active overall.

About Cochin Airport Terminals

There are three main terminals at the Cochin International Airport. While two of them cater to the domestic terminal, the third one works as an international airport. Terminal 1 was previously used for international flight activities. However, with the new and improved Terminal 3, the international operations were shifted there. The terminal caters to the domestic airlines and operations and can accommodate 4,000 passengers per hour. There are 56 check-in counters, six private lounges and seven aerobridges with a conveyor belt that transfers baggage of about 12 flights at once. Terminal 2 offers an executive experience with CUTE enabled check-in counters, four self-check-in kiosks and six security gates with a space to handle about 400 passengers at once. The terminal was converted as an executive terminal much recently. The international Terminal 3 came into existence in recent times. Built with the Kerala architecture and influence from the Thrissur Pooram, the terminal boasts exquisite fibre elephants adorned with traditional costumes. There are five entry gates, 84 check-in and 80 immigration counters.

About airport authority

The Cochin International Airport is owned by the public limited company, formally known as Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which is a public-private consortium. The Government of Kerala also holds ownership in the venture with 33.36 per cent stakes. The government is the largest investor in CIAL while various Indian and foreign organizations also have stakes on it. Companies such as BPCL, AAI and Air India have a collective stake of 8.74 per cent. Meanwhile, foreign organizations such as Emke Group from Abu Dhabi, Galfar Group of Oman and Majeed Bukatara Trading of UAE hold 5.42 per cent stake. There are many more players in the venture too such as Federal Bank, Canara Bank and SBT. 38.03 per cent of stake is collectively owned by approximately 10,000 personal investors panned across 29 countries. These are non-resident Indians with stakes in CIAL.

Facilities at the Cochin Airport

Luggage facility: The airport has a slew of services available pertaining to the luggage. There are free luggage trolleys available at the entrance of the airport as well as at regular counters till the check-in. The terminal also allows porterage services where you can avail help from a professional to escort your luggage from one point to another. The porterage services do come for free for senior citizens, expectant mothers, physically disabled individuals, minors and more. It is imperative that you coordinate with the respective airlines to avail the services. Along with porterage and trolleys, the airport also offers baggage wrapping services. You can get your luggage wrapped in plastic to protect them from theft, mishandle and other concerns.

Child care room: The Cochin airport has designated child care centres in the domestic as well as international terminals. This comes in handy for mothers with infants. Women with kids can make use of the room to feed and change diapers. The room also has other provisions of baby products, including toys, to help soothe the child, if needed. The centre is well-sanitized and is maintained perfectly to ensure the hygiene of the space. Mothers must find it safe and healthy.

Information desk: The information desk is available at regular intervals. The space offers all details about the airport, including a map of the airport. The desk provides all the necessary information regarding flights, airlines, boarding gates and other such concerns even if you need to find specific places such as the lost and found and VIP rooms.

Conference halls: One of the major highlights of the Cochin Airport is the conference halls that it has. You can host meetings and other such conventions at the airport. It is excellent and quite convenient as it helps save time for all the parties involved. Business professionals can simply meet at the airport, wrap up the conference or convention and take their flights to return to their cities. It is a convenient setting and hence, is most favoured.

Postal facilities:

Cochin airport has postal facilities as well that work perfectly for the passengers. In case there are some important documents and letters that need to be posted, you can make it happen at the airport. Postal services are available at both the terminals.

Restaurants and cafes: Kochi airport's domestic wing has only a few food establishments in the food court. The international terminal of the airport does have a decent slew of restaurants and food establishments that you will find.

Pre-paid taxi services: From the airport, there are many pre-paid taxi services outside the airport. Outside the airport, the officials have segregated the parking spaces in such a way that specific pillars and lanes are dedicated to taxi cabs. Depending on your bookings, you will be directed to the specific pillar or lane for taxis.

ATMs and Forex: Foreign exchange counters and ATM kiosks are present at regular intervals in the airport.

You can make your currency exchanges and even get a good rate at the airport. You can also withdraw cash at the ATMs to ensure that you have enough money in hand.

Medical facilities: Much like every airport, even Cochin airport has medical services. It is a necessary protocol that needs to be followed by all the airports to have medical facilities. The possibility of a medical emergency is always prevalent at airports.

VIP lounge: The airport has exemplary VIP lounges and guestrooms for special people. Travellers who have first-class tickets or premium memberships at specific airlines will get access to the private lounges or VIP rooms. These lounges and rooms have upscaled luxury services with great hospitality.

Top airlines flying from the Cochin Airport

Cochin International Airport is recognized as one of the largest and busiest airports in the state of Kerala. With an air passenger movement of approximately 61 per cent, the airport easily becomes a busy one in the state. The Cochin International Airport also witnesses tremendous international traffic. As many flights directly fly to Middle Eastern countries from Cochin and witnesses a high demand too, the international traffic is just as busy as the domestic terminal. Cochin International Airport also serves as a base to the operations of the airlines Air India Express. Aside from Air India Express, the airport also sees many other important domestic airlines such as Air Asia India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, Indian Airlines, SpiceJet and Vistara. There are three passenger terminals with Terminal 3 (international terminal) being the largest terminals in the whole country.

Earlier Terminal 1 served as the international terminal. However, after a massive upgrade that took place and with the genesis of Terminal 3, the international flight activities shifted to the other one. The capacity is also quite good, with over 4,000 passengers per hour. Some of the international airlines that fly from Cochin Airport are Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India, Air Jazeera, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Tiger Airways. These airlines majorly cater to the passengers flying in and out of Middle Eastern countries. As the demand for the Middle Eastern countries is very high in the state of Kerala, quite a few airlines have direct flights to those international destinations. Cochin airport houses airlines that directly connect with cities such as Muscat, Kuwait, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Riyadh and Jeddah.

How to reach Cochin Airport

There are various ways to reach Cochin International Airport. Buses, taxis and private vehicles can reach you to the Cochin airport without any hassle. There are dedicated buses that travel to the Cochin International Airport. Often many travel to Cochin Airport to reach places such as Alleppey, Munnar and other prominent tourist destinations in Kerala. While the main city does have the main bus stand, there are many bus routes that connect to the airport. These buses have destinations such as Ernakulam, Padma, Thrissur, Fort Kochi, Angamaly, Kaloor and Ernakulam-Vyttil-Thoppumpady, to name a few.

Another famous and favoured way to reach Cochin International Airport is by pre-paid taxis. There are taxi counters available close to the domestic and international terminals. There are booths available within the premise of the airport too from where you can make your taxi bookings. Even outside the airport, there are taxi counters from where you can get your taxis. Ride-sharing services are also available with apps such as Uber and Ola at work. Often many travellers even opt to reach other cities in the Ernakulam district by booking a taxi. To further enhance your trip, the airport also has rental services available. You can make a booking at the taxi counter as well.

  About Calicut Airport

The Calicut International Airport, which is also acknowledged as Karipur airport, serves the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the state of Kerala. The international airport enables flight connectivity to the Malabar region of Kerala. The Calicut International Airport is 25 km from the town of Malappuram and about 26 km from Kozhikode. The airport is recognised as the 11th busiest airport in the country, concerning overall passenger traffic. It is also known to be the third busiest airport in the state of Kerala, following Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The Calicut International Airport received its international airport stature in 2006. The airport is also known to be the only airport in Kerala with a tabletop runway. There are only three tabletop runway in India after the Calicut Airport - Lengpui Airport and Mangalore Airport. The Calicut Airport serves as the base for Air India Express which has services of the Hajj Pilgrimage, flying to Jeddah and Medina from Kozhikode. The airport also serves as a focus city to airlines such as Air India, Indigo and SpiceJet.

About Calicut Airport Terminals

The Kozhikode Calicut International Airport has two passenger terminals supporting international and domestic airlines. One terminal is dedicated to domestic airlines that offer regional flights to travel within the country. The terminal is a single level which takes care of the arrivals as well as departures of passengers. It also caters to Air India Express, which operates from the airport. The departure and arrivals space in the domestic terminal has restaurants, shops, executive and VIP lounges and other services too. Meanwhile, the terminal also has nine check-in counters, six customs counters, 12 immigration counters and five security booths. The international terminal has two levels. The ground level is reserved for the arrival and departure halls. The space also caters to a bunch of amenities including, cafes, restaurants, shops, duty-free establishments and more. The first floor of the international terminal comes with a port lounge and a VIP lounge. The port lounge is basically for the economy class while the VIP one is reserved for the first-class ticket holders. There are about 23 check-in counters, 42 immigration booths, five customs counters and three security checks.

About airport authority

The Airport Authority of India, famous known by its abbreviation AAI, owns and serves the Calicut International Airport. AAI has worked tremendously on bettering the Calicut International Airport and has managed to put it on the map of busy airports in India. Thanks to the statutory body's intervention helped bring back some international airlines to the airport, including services of the Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER. Over the years, the airport has witnessed tremendous development and expansion.

Top airlines flying from Calicut Airport

Calicut International Airport has good connectivity to some of the cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Majorly, the Calicut airport has airlines operating to reach domestic cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, as metro stations. Aside from these, cities such as Kannur, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Agatti see flights from the Calicut International Airport. There are a few domestic and international airlines that fly from the airport. Airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, operate from the Calicut International Airport. Some of these domestic airlines also have international journeys on their calendar. Air India's Air India Express has flights to cities in Kerala as well as international cities such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Sharjah, Riyadh and more.

International airlines that fly from the Calicut International Airport include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Flynas, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir and Saudia. A majority of airports in the state of Kerala have direct flights to Middle Eastern countries. Since a lot of demand is prevalent for Middle Eastern cities in Kerala, airlines from the said countries operate from Kerala as well. Air India Express specifically has an operating base with services to Medina and Jeddah from the Calicut International Airport. The cities host the Hajj Pilgrimage and hence, see a lot of demand from pilgrims during the holy seasons.

Facilities at the Calicut Airport

WiFi - The airport terminal has an excellent WiFi connection. You can find details of the same at the check-in counter. The airport's domestic and international terminals both have a good connection. A domestic phone number would be required to log in to the WiFi network. They are available for free.

Special assistance - The Calicut International Airport also caters to services for personal assistance, especially for senior citizens, expectant mothers and physically disabled passengers. There is specific special assistance that you can acquire at the information desk. Informing the airlines about the special requests for wheelchairs or personal assistance can be demanded as well. Each airline has skilled professionals who are trained for these services.

ATMs and forex - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange booths present at regular intervals at the airport. To ensure that required liquid currency can be accessed, the airport has brought about a good number of ATM kiosks and currency exchange booths. They are available at the departure and arrival zones of international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - Multi-faith rooms to observe prayers have also been made available at the airport. The Calicut Airport has dedicated rooms that are available at both, departure and arrival terminals. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes. There are religious books of multi-faith available in the room as well.

Post office - The good part about the airport is how they have postal services as well. In case there is a sudden necessity to post a letter or important documents, it can be arranged at the airport. They are available close to the domestic and international terminals.

Baggage - The airport has several services pertaining to baggage. There are trolley services available at the Calicut International Airport. They can be found at regular intervals outside and within the airport premise. You can find them at the international and domestic terminals.

Restaurants and cafes - There are many restaurants and cafes present at the airport complex. You can find some of the food establishments at the arrival and departure zones. Plus, there are some quick snacks and beverages joints available at the check-in areas too. There are dedicated food courts and also decent restaurants that can be found in the lounge area.

Internet cafes - In case you need to send important emails or work on some projects at the airport, there is an internet cafe installed at the airport. Even though the WiFi services are available, you can get hold of a computer system at the airport and work on professional projects.

Lounges - The airport provides lounge services as well. Since it is an international airport, there are VIP lounges as well as premium lounge authorised by AAI. Some of the lounge services have spas, showers, hotel rooms for in-transit passengers, upscale restaurants and great hospitality.

How to reach Calicut Airport

Rail

The closest railway station is the Feroke railway station from the Calicut Airport. The station is about 18 km away from the airport and is connected to many important cities close to Kozhikode. Meanwhile, the Kozhikode Railway Station, located about 28 km away from the Calicut Airport, is also well-connected. The station is connected to various major Indian cities as well as within Kerala. There are taxi cabs and bus services available from the railway station to the airport. In case you are travelling from within the state and need to reach Calicut Airport, the best route would be to opt for the Kozhikode Railway Station.

The state also has buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, to help with connection to the airport. They service FlyBus, which is a low-floor AC bus that shuttles between the main city of Kozhikode and the airport. The bus is a perfect mode of transport to use if you have to reach Calicut International Airport. These services are cheap and perfect for budget travellers who need to save money. Plus, they are quite convenient too. You can find these buses in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Malappuram, to name a few cities. The Calicut International Airport is situated on the National Highway 966 and is further joined by National Highway 66 at Ramanattukara. Both the national highways are located at a distance of 2.3 km and 8 km from the airport. The highways further connect Calicut International Airport to Kozhikode, Malappuram. Wayanad, Coimbatore, Kannur, Thrissur and Palakkad.

About Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode, is a principal town and the second largest urban agglomeration in the state of Kerala, after Kochi. The city is the 20th largest populated in India with a population of 2 million, as recorded in the 2011 census. Kozhikode's fame comes from its plethora of spice industry. The city is also known as the City of Spices as it catered as an important trading point for Indian spices. Kozhikode or Calicut is recognised as the second-best city to reside in India with respect to the economics research as conducted by the firm Indicus Analytics in 2009. They have accumulated data on residences, investments and earnings to form the ranking. Predominantly, the city features a tropical monsoon climate and witnesses two periods of showers in a year.