Kerala moves closer to seaplane dream as Centre awards routes

Kerala has inched a step closer to realising its dream of seaplane operations, with the Centre awarding 48 seaplane routes, including in Kerala, to different airlines under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. The routes are currently allocated to IndiaOne Air, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR), PHL, and Spice Jet airlines.

Speaking to The Hindu, a highly placed senior government officer said Kerala had earlier submitted a list of around 10 waterbodies, including in Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Kumarakom, Punnamada, and Chandragiripuzha in Kasaragod, for setting up waterdromes and other ancillary facilities required for starting seaplane services. In response to the request, the Centre recently directed the State to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for starting seaplane services from the Idukki dam site, Malampuzha dam site, Banasura Sagar dam, Mattupetty/Chenkulam dam and Bekal.

“It is not known yet which routes have been awarded among the sites where DPR work has been suggested. It will be clear only when the Centre issues a detailed government order regarding setting up basic infrastructure for the project,” he said.

Although the routes are awarded, it will take time for the State government to arrange the basic facilities, he said.

The Kerala government had sought the response of KIIFCON-RITES, a joint venture entrusted with the task of holding a feasibility study on setting up airstrips in Idukki, Wayanad and Kasaragod districts, on preparing the DPR for the seaplane project a few months ago. However, no government order was issued to the agency to prepare the DPR. Based on the progress in preparing the DPR, including traffic projection on each route, and setting up basic infrastructure facilities, the airlines would be able to hold the services, he added.

In addition, the Lakshadweep administration has suggested a route connecting with Kerala, which also reportedly figure in the newly awarded routes.

Although Kerala had a successful test flight of a seaplane in the Kochi backwaters and the Mattupetty dam in Idukki in 2024, the State has to arrange a slew of facilities, including water aerodromes and facilities for passengers to board and alight seaplanes on water.

Infrastructure plans

According to Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, as part of the launch of the seaplane project, a plan to set up the infrastructure is also being prepared by the State government. The State has also allocated funds for this in the last Budget, he said.

The Centre had earlier awarded a total of 32 seaplane routes in the country, including seaplane services between Lakshadweep and Kochi [Kochi-Bangaram (WA), Kochi-Kalpeni (WA), Kochi- Bitra (WA), Kalpeni (WA)-Kochi and Bitra (WA)-Kochi]. However, these routes have yet to be made operational.