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The Central Government has recently approved the allocation of 48 dedicated seaplane routes across Kerala under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS-UDAN). The routes have been assigned to operators including IndiaOne Air, MEHAIR, Pawan Hans and SpiceJet. The state government is now planning to establish floating waterdromes and related infrastructure at various water-bodies. A prior trial flight from Kochi to Mattupetty in Idukki has already been conducted. The project is expected to cut travel time between the state's four international airports and remote inland destinations.
The government of India has granted approval for 48 seaplane routes in Kerala under the RCS-UDAN scheme, as confirmed by the state's tourism minister. These routes have been designated to four companies: IndiaOne Air, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR), Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) and SpiceJet Ltd. The minister noted that the state government had earlier pledged continuous interventions to bring the seaplane project to fruition. Advertisement
A detailed plan for the foundational infrastructure of the project is already in preparation, including setting up floating waterdromes in key inland and back'water locations. A test flight from Kochi to Mattupetty in Idukki district has already taken place, signalling operational readiness and stakeholder engagement.
The service will employ small aircraft with seating capacities of around 9, 15, 17, 20 and 30 seats, boarding from waterdromes rather than conventional runways. This setup is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the four international airports in Kerala and remote regions accessible via the state's lakes, dams and backwaters.
Potential waterdrome locations have been identified in major water-bodies and back-water areas in every district, including Bolgatty, Mattupetty, Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Vembanad, Malampuzha and Bekal. The state's Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has already allocated budgetary funds to the project.
The initiative builds on a prior trial and earlier plans for seaplane operations in the state a project that had been in discussion since 2013 but was delayed by operational and environmental hurdles. With these 48 routes now officially allocated, the next steps involve infrastructure development, regulatory approvals and operational coordination among the selected airlines.
Source PTI
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