Cochin International Airport - Spotting Guide

Cochin International Airport – Spotting Guide

September 18, 2021 - last modified on December 7, 2023

Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCI) is an international airport serving the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is the busiest and the largest airport in the state of Kerala and eighth busiest airport in India in terms of international traffic.

The airport has three main terminals and it also consist of a Naval aircraft enclave which includes a hangar for bigger aircraft of the Navy, administrative office, disbursal centre and an apron, capable of holding 2 Boeing type aircraft (P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft) and a taxi track. The Indian Coast Guard has also taken space in CIAL to develop its second air squadron in Kochi to improve coastal air surveillance and air related assistance. The facility comprises 2 hangars to accommodate the Chetak helicopter squadron, and the Dornier squadron along with advanced light helicopters are expected to be based here. The Air Enclave would have a 50m taxi link to the runway at CIAL and would consist of aircraft hangars, technical areas and administrative buildings which is towards last phase of construction.

Airlines currently serving the airport: Air Asia India, Air Arabia, Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates, Emirates SkyCargo, Etihad, Etihad Cargo, FlyDubai, Go First, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SpiceJet, SpiceXpress, Vistara

Written by Nizam Ashraf, some picturs by Arjun Prakash, Rohit Ramachandran & Jithin Tom Mathew. Last Update: August 2021

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
09/27	3,400m (11,200ft) – Asphalt
Terminals
Terminal 1	Domestic
Terminal 2	Executive
Terminal 3	International
Terminal 4	Cargo
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	No Public transports.
Drinks/Food	Spot 1 & 2 only.
Hotels	Couple of hotels located at the north side of the airport.
Season	Best times are between September to November or February to April.
Security	We personally didn’t encounter any problem with the locals/police till date (the best way to make them our ally is to try being friendly, ask doubts on aviation and aircraft specifications if you encounter any). To avoid public attention try to make them friendly and act like that you are not an avgeek.
Runway Usage
General Info	Nothing special, depends on the wind.

	Spot #1 – Kanjoor – 27 arrivals
WHERE	This is a common spot located on the short final path for runway 27. It is north of the village of Kanjoor at Kallumkoottam Road. Many people come with their families to spend their evenings/weekends. However, you will require a vehicle to reach this spot as public transportation is not available here. There are no particular landmarks to share and plenty of parking spaces to park your vehicle.

WHAT	You can get the side shots of landing and line up for runway 27. As the runway is located in E-W direction you will get a full view of the runway. Runway 14 deparutres are more underbelly shots.

TIME	The best time for spotting is 7am-11am.

MISC.	Ladder is not recommended as you can get a nice shot from the ground itself. A couple of shops are available here providing tea, coffee and light snacks. Recommended to carry a CAP/Umbrella to avoid the sunlight.

FOCAL LENGTH	Lenses with 55-300mm will do the job perfectly and is recommended to spot the face-to-face shots and arriving, departing aircrafts.

	Spot #2 – Threshold – 27 movements
WHERE	The spot is eastwards on Koolikkara Road from the previous spot, almost next to the treshold of ruwnay 27. You will require a vehicle to reach this spot as public transportation is not available here. It is recommended to go with a Two wheeler as parking for a four wheeler is difficult. You can park at sopt 1and walk to this spot. There are no particular landmarks to share.

WHAT	You can get the side shots of landing, side shots, face to face shots of taxiing and taking off aircrafts from runway 27. Runway 14 deparutres are more underbelly shots.

TIME	The best time for spotting is 7am-11am and 3pm – 7pm.

MISC.	Ladder is not recommended as you can get a nice shot from the ground itself. A couple of shops are available here providing tea, coffee and light snacks. Recommended to carry a CAP/Umbrella to avoid the sunlight.

FOCAL LENGTH	Lenses with 55-300mm will do the job perfectly and is recommended to spot the face-to-face shots and arriving, departing aircrafts.

	Spot #3 – Neduvannoor Road – 14 arrivals
WHERE	Another common family hangout spot located on the short final path of Runway 14. It can be reached from the Terminal/Airport Rd by driving southwards on Neduvannoor Rd, passing a solar farm and continue until it bends left. You will require a vehicle to reach this spot as public transportation is not available here. There are plenty of parking spaces to park your vehicle.

WHAT	You can get the face to face, side shots of landing aircrafts into runway 14 and underbelly shots of departed aircrafts from Runway 27.

TIME	The best time for spotting is 7am-11am and 3pm–7pm.

MISC.	Always be in alert at this spot as the police and airport security personal patrol this area frequently due to the presence of Naval Enclave nearby. Ladder is not recommended as you can get a nice shot from the ground itself. No shops are available nearby and recommended to carry food/water items if needed.. Remember to carry a CAP/Umbrella to avoid the sunlight.

FOCAL LENGTH	Lenses with 55-300mm will do the job perfectly and is recommended to spot the face-to-face shots and arriving, departing aircrafts.