Dear Philadelphia Airport Authority,

I am writing to respectfully request that the Philadelphia Airport Authority work with Air India to explore the possibility of establishing a direct Philadelphia (PHL) to Cochin (COK) flight service.

There are approximately 50,000 Indian families living in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Jersey, and the Baltimore area. Many of these families travel regularly to Kerala, particularly to Cochin and nearby districts.

A Philadelphia–Cochin service would provide a convenient travel option for this large and growing community. We kindly request that the Philadelphia Airport Authority engage with Air India and other relevant aviation partners to study the feasibility of launching this route, potentially through Delhi or Mumbai, while minimizing the inconvenience of aircraft changes for passengers.

This service would be especially beneficial for senior citizens, families with children, and passengers traveling with substantial luggage. It would also strengthen Philadelphia International Airport’s role as a major international gateway and make the airport more attractive to travelers throughout the region.

A Philadelphia–Cochin service would:

* Serve a large and established Indian community.
* Provide convenient access to Kerala and surrounding areas.
* Benefit residents of Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Jersey, and Baltimore.
* Reduce the need for passengers to travel to other U.S. airports to find convenient connections to Kerala.
* Increase international passenger traffic through Philadelphia International Airport.
* Strengthen Philadelphia’s connections with India and the broader South Asian community.
* Support regional economic development, tourism, and business opportunities.
* Encourage more travelers to choose Philadelphia International Airport for international travel.

We believe there is significant potential demand for this service, particularly because many passengers currently travel to other airports to access more convenient flights to Kerala. The Philadelphia region has a substantial Indian population, and a direct or highly convenient Philadelphia–Cochin service could attract passengers from a wide geographic area.

We sincerely request that the Philadelphia Airport Authority conduct or support a feasibility study and communicate with Air India regarding the potential launch of this route. The service could initially operate on a limited number of days per week, with the possibility of increasing frequency based on passenger demand.

We would be very grateful if the Philadelphia Airport Authority would give serious consideration to this request and advocate for improved air connectivity between Philadelphia and Kerala. Such a service would be greatly appreciated by thousands of families and would strengthen the connection between the Philadelphia region and India.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to a positive response.

Sincerely,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On behalf of the Indian community in the Philadelphia region