Scheduled to be launched this summer (within the next 2months), a fleet of brand new seaplanes is set to fly travelers to destinations across Kerala. The project will enable visitors to fly from the three main airports of Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode to lesser-known places like Ashtamudi, Punnamada and Bekal.

Coming soon to Kerala

It’s an all systems go for the Kerala Seaplane Project as of now. “There are enough operators, so it seems that our approach was right. The idea is to start latest by April as all GOI clearances are in the bag,” said Chandrasekhar, Vice-Chairman, planning board. So far 18 planes have been sanctioned, each with a passenger capacity of 10 persons. Wharfs have been built to help passengers ashore. ”See, we have also made the facility such that it could be operational in the three airports in the state too. Tourists arriving at the airports could hop on to a seaplane to travel to any of these destinations where jetties are operational. Very soon, jetties will be added in another 20 locations,” Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said.

Simultaneously, 70% police officers selected as part of the Airport Security Group, who underwent training under BCAS personnel, have cleared their exams. They will be put on the crucial baggage screening programme, while those with lesser grades will be put on other duties such as perimeter security and frisking of passengers.

In the coming days, the chief hydrographer, officials of the fisheries department and the tourism department would hold a joint inspection of the water bodies where the planes will be landing to strictly demarcate the fishing and non-fishing areas. “These areas are likely to be marked with buoys and the fishing community informed about the decision,” said a source from the fisheries department.