Latest news with #CIAL2.0
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi airport's bomb squad is set for tech-off
A mechanical hound that flashes lights from its eyes, shakes hands, and hip-hops like a seasoned performer was one of the star attractions at the Aero Digital Summit held on Monday at the CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre. But don't be fooled — it's not a pet, it's a Rs 19 lakh AI-powered robotic dog developed by Dubai-based Unique World Robotics. This high-tech marvel stole the spotlight at the one-day tech expo organised as part of the launch of CIAL 2.0, a Rs 200-crore digital transformation initiative by Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL). Spectators at the expo were treated to more impressive technological innovations, including a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) designed for bomb detection and disposal, a non-invasive body scanner, and a smart lane system for cabin baggage — recent additions to CIAL's infrastructure. 'The battery-operated robotic dog is mainly controlled using a mobile application,' said an official of the CIAL's new IT & communications department. 'It can be operated on a single charge for up to four hours. It's capable of moving over 700m in a single instance and can carry a load of up to 25kg.' The ROV, showcased by the CRPF team, is part of a newly-acquired bomb disposal system. 'The threat containment vessel (TVC) is capable of taking on a blast of up to 8kg of high explosive such as TNT. The system is handled by a quick-reaction team at the airport,' said a CIAL official.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kerala CM launches Rs 200-crore I.T. infrastructure project at Kochi airport
KOCHI: India will see one billion air travellers annually by 2040 and all airports in the country must prepare to accommodate such large-scale growth, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Monday. He was speaking during the launch of the Rs 200-crore CIAL 2.0 project, which aims to fully digitise the operations of Cochin International Airport. 'In 2023–24, 375 million people in India travelled by air, of which 275 million were domestic passengers. This marks a 21% increase compared to the previous year, placing India third in the world in terms of domestic air passenger numbers. It is estimated that by 2040, India will see one billion air travellers annually. All airports in the country must prepare, on their own, to accommodate such large-scale growth.' Pinarayi Vijayan said. The chief minister emphasised the strategic importance of ensuring the safety of air passengers and the protection of airport assets. With around 50,000 passengers travelling through Kochi Airport daily, and close to 100,000 people visiting the premises for travel-related needs, the security of digital assets becomes even more significant. The airport also hosts over 400 government and non-government agencies, 30 airlines, around 200 commercial establishments including hotels, and more than 12,000 employees, making it a vast and complex travel hub. The CIAL 2.0 project incorporates various initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, automation, and foolproof cyber security to tackle emerging challenges in cyberspace and enhance travel experience. With an investment of Rs 200 crore, the project is designed to improve passenger convenience and security. As part of the project, full-body scanners have been introduced, eliminating the need for physical pat-downs during security checks. An automated tray retrieval system has also been implemented to speed up cabin baggage screening. Additionally, 4,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras have been installed to strengthen airport and perimeter security. The airport's existing bomb detection and disposal system is also being upgraded through CIAL 2.0.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Kerala's Cochin airport to get threat detection system under Rs2,000 million project
Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) is making a bold stride into the future with the launch of CIAL 2.0, a landmark initiative designed to completely digitise airport operations and enhance passenger experiences through artificial intelligence, automation, and robust cybersecurity. The Rs2,000 million transformation was launched by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala and Chairman of CIAL on May 19. "Cochin International Airport is embracing the future with CIAL 2.0 — a visionary leap into digital transformation that puts intelligence at the heart of every operation. These projects, envisaged as per the directions of the Chairman and board of directors, are part of a comprehensive upgrade of CIAL's digital backbone, including the safeguarding of digital infrastructure, enhancement of security and operational efficiency, introduction of next-generation security systems, and improved passenger convenience through AI-driven solutions," read the statement by S. Suhas IAS, Managing Director, CIAL. Detecting threats At the core of CIAL 2.0 is the establishment of the Cyber Defence Operations Centre (CDOC) — a cutting-edge facility focused on proactively safeguarding digital infrastructure. It is the first full-fledged on-premises server facility at an Indian airport, supported by CDAC, featuring real-time threat intelligence, 24x7 proactive monitoring, and rapid incident response capabilities. With increasing cyber threats in the aviation sector, the CDOC employs advanced security tools to detect, neutralise, and pre-empt external threats, including hacking attempts, malware intrusions, and ransomware attacks. This real-time digital shield ensures that CIAL's vast network and IT backbone remain resilient, uninterrupted, and secure — making it a national benchmark in airport cybersecurity. Full-body scanners for contactless screening Full-body scanners provide fast, contactless, non-intrusive passenger screening that meets international standards. These enhancements ensure seamless yet thorough security checks without compromising passenger comfort. Automated tray retrieval system Deploying the Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) at security checkpoints will improve passenger convenience and processing speed. The system automates the movement of security trays, reducing manual handling and significantly speeding up the cabin baggage screening process. AI-based surveillance system A powerful, AI-driven surveillance network is now active at CIAL, with over 4,000 intelligent cameras monitoring terminal interiors, airside zones, and other sensitive areas. These AI-powered systems use deep learning for behaviour analysis, real-time threat detection, and fast response. The result is a quantum leap in security precision and situational awareness, ensuring that both passengers and personnel operate in a safe environment at all times. Next-gen security infrastructure Security at CIAL is fortified with a suite of advanced tools: Bomb Detection and Disposal System (BDDS) includes new liquid explosive detectors, portable X-ray devices, and Threat Containment Vessels (TCV) for handling high-risk materials. CIAL's digital backbone will be upgraded with the following features: A revamped Airport Operational Database (AODB), Flight Information Display System (FIDS), and Automatic Flight Announcement System Introduction of Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) to allow flexible, shared-use counters for airlines. A next-gen data centre based on Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI), offering scalable, secure back-end support. Upgraded network infrastructure to ensure high-speed and fail-safe connectivity across airport operations. Innovation suite India
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Kerala CM launches Rs 200 cr IT infrastructure project at Cochin Airport
Kochi (Kerala) [India], May 19 (ANI): Cochin International Airport Ltd is presenting a model of socialising profit, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the launch of the Rs 200-crore CIAL 2.0 project, which aims to fully digitise the airport's operations. In 2023-24, 375 million people in India travelled by air, of which 275 million were domestic passengers. This marks a 21 per cent increase compared to the previous year, placing India third in the world in terms of domestic air passenger numbers. It is estimated that by 2040, India will see one billion air travellers annually. All airports in the country must prepare themselves to accommodate such large-scale growth. The Chief Minister emphasised the strategic importance of ensuring the safety of air passengers and the protection of airport assets. With around 50, 000 passengers travelling through Cochin Airport daily, and close to 100,000 people visiting the premises for travel-related needs, the security of digital assets becomes even more significant. The airport also hosts over 400 government and non-government agencies, 30 airlines, around 200 commercial establishments including hotels, and more than 12,000 employees, making it a vast and complex travel hub. The CIAL 2.0 project incorporates various initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, automation, and foolproof cybersecurity to tackle emerging challenges in cyberspace and enhance travel experience. With an investment of Rs 200 crore, the project is designed to improve passenger convenience and security. As part of the project, full-body scanners have been introduced, eliminating the need for physical pat-downs during security checks. An automated tray retrieval system has also been implemented to speed up cabin baggage screening. Additionally, 4,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras have been installed to strengthen airport and perimeter security. The airport's existing bomb detection and disposal system is also being upgraded through CIAL 2.0. Apart from these initiatives, several large-scale projects launched last year are progressing rapidly. The apron construction, part of the Rs 700-crore International Terminal development, is in its final stages. The commercial zone being constructed in front of Terminal 3 is also advancing steadily. These developments have created around 29,000 job opportunities. CIAL is committed to offering maximum benefits to investors, local communities, and workers. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, it distributed a 45 per cent dividend to investors. The company has also undertaken multiple bridge construction projects and recently launched a society for cargo loading and unloading contract workers, which is functioning effectively. Notably, CIAL plays a key role in the Wayanad Model Township project initiated by the state government. It is independently installing solar panels on all 400 houses in the township. (ANI)
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Digital upgrade will ensure foolproof security in CIAL, says CM
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Monday that Cochin International Airport, as a company, socialised profits, sharing it with society instead of privatising the profits. He was speaking at the inauguration of CIAL 2.0, the ₹200-crore total digitisation programme of the airport. The Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of CIAL, said this was a time when the air travellers and assets of airports should be protected with great care. The Kochi airport handled around 50,000 passengers daily. More than 400 government and quasi government agencies, 30 airlines, hotels, around 200 commercial establishments, and 12,000 workers were functioning at the airport, he said. Artificial intelligence and automation provided foolproof security through the newly inaugurated features, he added. These features would help the airport face new cybersecurity challenges and make passenger movement smoother. Through scanners A communication from CIAL said the complete digitisation of the airport operations would make passenger handling smooth and introduce state-of-the-art security features. There would be full-body scanners at the departure security check-points. The new features allow the passengers to pass through scanners instead of CISF personnel scanning the passengers using metal detectors. If banned substances are being carried, the passengers can turn back, get rid of them and return. Another feature of the new digitised system is the automatic tray retrieval system for hand baggage. The mechanised scanning system will make the process much faster. AI-assisted cameras CIAL will also mount 4,000 AI-assisted cameras to improve security arrangements in the operations areas as well as in areas surrounding the airport. An aero digital summit was conducted from 2.30 p.m. as part of the inauguration of the new features. The public was allowed to enter the Experience Centre to view the live demonstration of new features.
