Willington Island was named after the former Viceroy of India, lord Willington. Willington Island was connected to the mainland Ernakulam by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge. The dumping of the materials created this artificial lake and later they were dug out while Cochin Port was being deepened. Willington Island today plays an important role in the city of Kochi and houses some of the district`s best hotels, commercial and industrial offices.

Apart from these, the airport is positioned in Willington Island along with the shipbuilding yard, wharf, the Southern Naval Command Head Quarters and the customs house. Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries has been strategically placed in Willington Island, as is the Government of India Tourist Information Office in the vicinity of the airport. Willington Island is a hub of activity with a number of offices, branches of national and international banks, travel agencies and souvenir shops warehouses and the tourists cannot possibly miss visiting the place while visiting the city of Kochi, if just for some necessity.