Kerala's First Seaplane Service Takes off from Bolgatty
The maiden seaplane service of the state, testrunned by Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, flew from Bolgatty Palace Waterdrome to the Mattupetty Dam in Idukki today as part of improving connectivity in the region. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, Education Minister V. Sivankutty and other senior officials were present with the Minister when he took a short ride on the 17-seater aircraft.
With the seaplane service, faster and cheaper travel to previously inaccessible regions of Kerala is expected to be possible, and the state's hill stations, backwaters, and other inaccessible locations would open up. According to Minister Riyas, this project would seamlessly supplement the state's infrastructure, connecting the airports, highways, and proposed high-speed corridors.
It is seaplane service, where the Kerala government plans to stretch out. It will be affordable and accessible for many people, said the report. A comprehensive plan is being developed to promote the service for locals and tourists. One of the areas highlighted by Minister Rajeeve is the hospitality sector, which is booming in the state with many world-class hotels set to be launched at Kochi.
The seaplane service is operated by a Switzerland-based private company and SpiceJet, that use de Havilland aircraft. The planes have already flown trial runs over the skies of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is under the UDAN initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enhance regional connectivity through subsidized air travel.
