CIAL hands over Rs 20.72 cr dividend to govt

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which manages the first PPP model airport in the country at Nedumbassery in Kochi, today handed over Rs 20.72 crore dividend to the state government.
CIAL Managing Director V J Kurian handed over the cheque for the amount to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at a function at the CM's conference hall at the secretariat here.
"It is a proud moment for the state',the CM told reporters
The state government had invested in CIAL is Rs 98.60 crore and so far CIAL had given Rs 133 crore as dividend. CIAL declared 21 per cent dividend for the year 2014-15.

Chandy said government was also committed to go ahead with the low budget airline service 'Air Kerala', a request for which was pending with the Centre.
Kerala has sought relaxation of the conditions, which stipulate five years experience in operating in the domestic circuit and a minimum of 20 aircraft to operate international flights.

Chandy said the previous UPA government at the Centre had not relaxed the conditions and the present government too has not done so.
The state government would continue its efforts to get clearance for the project, mainly to cater to lakhs of poor migrant workers from Kerala working in Gulf countries, he said.

As these workers have not travelled to their homeland for years, government would seek sponsorship to provide tickets free of cost to them, he said.
The possibility of chartering an aircraft for the purpose would also be looked into, he said.