‘Meet and greet’ facilities revamped at Cochin airport

KOCHI: As part of offering passengers a stress-free travel experience, Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial) has revamped its "meet and greet" facility in international and domestic sectors.
The service will provide passengers assistants who will guide them right from the parking area to the boarding gate helping them in check-in formalities, baggage handling, conducting Covid tests, and speeding up security and emigration procedures.

The main target customers are the elderly, pregnant and child passengers as well those travelling in the business class. The segment has been fast-growing and the service is available in all major airports around the world. Cial is also offering customized group packages and special rates for corporate events, wedding guests, film crew and vacation groups.
Though the project was launched in April, it did not receive much attention due to the lockdown and the dip in the number of passengers. With the aviation industry witnessing a revival, the programme has been revamped and relaunched.
P S Jayan, public relations & corporate communications manager, Cial, said though the facility was envisaged by Cial, the operations have been outsourced to Speedwing Air Services, which has rebranded the service as “Primefly Greet and Meet”.
“There are three packages each in international and domestic sectors----basic porter service, seamless check-in and check-out, baggage handling, and completion of all formalities up to the boarding gate. Right now it is available for departing and arriving passengers in the domestic sector and departing passengers in international sector. Soon, it will be made available to arriving international passengers too,” Jayan said.
Shaji John, business and marketing head, Speedwing Primefly, said the service is opted by many passengers both in domestic as well international sectors. Under the basic porter service, which costs Rs 300 per trolley, a customer can avail the service of one porter.
Under the check-in/checkout service, a dedicated executive will assist the passenger from arrivals to checkout area (in case of arrival) or from parking area to check-in. A porter with one trolley for up to three pieces of baggage will assist with baggage handling and customs formalities.
Under the feel safe service, besides all services under check-in / checkout, passengers will get assistance to clear emigration, customs, Covid test, and security check points with permissible priority queues.
“Many people who are not frequent fliers are confused at the airport about the various procedures and these facilities will help them. It is most helpful for the differently-abled, pregnant women, elderly, kids travelling alone, etc.
Many people, whose parents are going on visit visas abroad, are opting for it and the customers will be updated on their status via WhatsApp. Daily around 50 customers are opting for it and the numbers are picking up. The service can be booked either at the kiosk at the airport or via online,” John sai