In a positive move for Kerala’s tourism sector, the first seaplane landed in Kochi’s backwaters on Sunday (November 10), marking the start of a new era in seaplane tourism. The amphibious plane, which departed from Vijayawada, touched down in the Bolgatty backwaters at 2:30 p.m., setting the stage for a unique initiative to connect Kerala’s picturesque waterways by air.
Tourism Minister P.A. Muhammad Riyas will officially flag off the trial service on Monday morning with a journey from Bolgatty to the Mattupetty reservoir near Munnar. This test flight highlights Kerala’s potential as an ideal destination for seaplane tourism, with its vast network of lakes, rivers, and coastal waters offering unparalleled aerial views and a thrilling travel experience.
Kerala’s seaplane project, undertaken with technical support from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), is part of the Civil Aviation Ministry’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN, designed to enhance connectivity to less accessible regions. Seaplanes will offer a swift and scenic alternative for visitors to explore Kerala’s landscapes, particularly the Western Ghats and the tourist-favored hill station of Munnar.
With seating capacity for nine passengers, these planes boast large windows for optimal viewing and can take off and land on both water and solid ground. The initiative promises to open new tourism avenues, improve connectivity, and contribute to Kerala’s economic growth by creating job opportunities in aviation, hospitality, and related sectors.
The tourism department has already proposed several locations for seaplane operations, including Kovalam, Ashtamudi Lake, Kumarakom, Idukki Dam, Mattupetty Dam, and Punnamada Lake, among others. These sites were identified following the Civil Aviation Ministry’s recent easing of regulations, which now allows non-scheduled operators to enter the market without needing waterdrome licenses and with simplified compliance.
The launch of seaplane services reflects the state’s revived interest in aerial tourism, despite past challenges. In 2013, the Kerala government invested Rs 14 crore to set up waterdromes on Ashtamudi and Punnamada lakes, but community protests halted the project. With new regulatory support, the state is cautiously optimistic about sustaining seaplane tourism in the long run.
According to sources, a private operator has also proposed a two-year contract at Rs 54 crore to provide daily seaplane service linking Kerala’s four airports with major water bodies. However, the government has yet to decide on this plan.
