From Backwaters to Highlands: Kerala’s First Amphibious Seaplane Service

Picture Credits: Kerala Tourism’s official social media handle X

Kochi: November 11th 2024, was a historic moment as the state’s first commercial Seaplane service took off on this beautiful morning.

The first 17-seater aircraft flew from the Bolgatty Palace Waterdrome in less than an hour to Mattupetty Dam in Idukki, a famed highland location noted for its lovely tea plantations and moderate environment.

The occasion, which was attended by Kerala Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas, marked the start of a new era in the state’s tourism and regional connectivity efforts.​

The “De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter” is an amphibious aircraft that can take off and land on water.

Following successful testing flights in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the seaplane service, operated by SpiceJet and a private Swiss company, arrived in Kerala. 

Representatives from the Indian Navy, Cochin Port Trust, and the seaplane’s constructor conducted a comprehensive assessment before the ceremonial launch. 

Following this high-level evaluation, a detailed feasibility study and hydrographic survey were carried out to ensure that the project met safety and logistical standards. 

These preparations were crucial in determining the best locations for waterdromes, or floating platforms where passengers board seaplanes.

This new initiative aims to provide fast and picturesque transportation between Kerala’s international airports (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kannur, and Kozhikode) and a number of appealing backwater resorts, including Kumarakom and Ashtamudi.

With seating capacity ranging from 9 to 30 passengers, the seaplane service gives a unique opportunity to explore Kerala’s natural beauty while minimizing travel time between locations.

The seaplane service is part of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) project, which aims to improve regional connectivity in India. This project is a game changer for Kerala tourism, since it provides more direct connectivity to rural districts.

The service is intended to boost tourism, create jobs, and boost local economies by offering speedier access to underexplored areas.​

In addition to the initial route, there are plans to extend the service to other destinations like Kovalam, Bekal, and Punnamada, allowing travellers to view more of Kerala’s grandeur.

A thorough planning process underpins the project, and extensive hydrographic and environmental analyses are conducted to ensure that the project will have the least possible negative effects on the state’s delicate ecosystems, including the backwaters and coastal areas.​

The cost of the seaplane services has been given top importance by the Kerala government to ensure that it is accessible to a wide spectrum of passengers.

The service, which blends modern aircraft with Kerala’s stunning natural settings, is expected to attract adventurers and people looking to explore the state’s well-known attractions from a new perspective.

The massive project was initially envisioned under the 2011–16 Oommen Chandy government. The fishing community, however, strongly opposed the construction of waterdromes on lakes and other bodies of water, thus the proposal was shelved. But since Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister, took control, the project has accelerated this time.

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