State Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas is set to flag off the first commercial service of the 17-seater seaplane to Mattupetti on Monday (November 11), as per an official statement. Industries Minister P Rajeeve will preside over the ceremony at Bolgatty Palace, while the seaplane’s crew and passengers will be received at the Mattupetty Dam in Idukki district by Minister for Water Resources Roshy Augustine.
A ‘De Havilland Canada’ seaplane landed at the Bolgatty waterdrome on the Kochi Lake on Sunday evening. The amphibious aircraft was warmly welcomed by Tourism Secretary K Biju, Aviation Secretary Biju Prabhakar, District Collector N S K Umesh, State Tourism Additional Director P Vishnuraj, and representatives from various tourism organisations.
Civil Aviation Ministry boosting seaplane services under UDAN
This seaplane service, part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, aims to enhance connectivity between Kerala’s four international airports and its picturesque backwaters.
Tourism Secretary Biju highlighted that the new seaplane service presents a great opportunity for local stakeholders, offering a new package that connects various tourist destinations. “It will help create new enterprises in the tourism sector, generating employment opportunities,” he added.
Kerala seaplane services’ seating capacity, fares
The service will operate small aircraft with seating capacities ranging from 9 to 30 passengers, with boarding available at waterdromes — floating platforms located on water. The service will offer subsidised fares, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Canadian pilots Daniel Montgomery and Rodger Brindger operated the maiden flight, which arrived at Kochi’s international airport at 11 AM. Other crew members included Yogesh Garg, Sandeep Das, Sayyid Kamran Hussain, and Mohan Singh.
Seaplane services to reduce travel time between the four airports
The ‘De Havilland Canada’ seaplane, operated by a Switzerland-based private company and SpiceJet, arrived after successful trial runs in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Senior officials from the Cochin Port Trust, the Indian Navy, and ‘De Havilland Canada’ have already assessed logistical challenges, and feasibility and hydrographic surveys were conducted to ensure smooth operations.
The service is expected to drastically reduce travel time between the four airports and Kerala’s hinterland, making tourism more accessible. In addition to Bolgatty and Mattupetti, potential waterdrome sites under consideration include Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Vembanad, Malampuzha, and Bekal.
