Sunday, November 10, 2024 On November 11, Shri PA Mohamed Riyas, the Minister for Tourism and Public Works, will inaugurate a new seaplane service aimed at enhancing the state’s tourism sector. The inaugural event will be chaired by Shri P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Law, and Coir, and will take place at 9:30 AM at the Bolgatty Palace in Kochi. Subsequently, a celebratory reception for the seaplane’s crew and passengers will occur at Mattupetty Dam in Idukki, attended by Shri Roshy Augustine, Minister for Water Resources.
The seaplane, a ‘de Havilland Canada’, is scheduled to arrive at Kochi International Airport on November 10 at 2 PM and will proceed to Bolgatty Palace’s waterdrome by 3:30 PM, where the Department of Tourism will host the crew. This service is part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN initiated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, to enhance connectivity between Kerala’s airports and its scenic backwaters. Shri Riyas highlighted the significance of improved connectivity for the growth of Kerala’s tourism industry.
The service, operated by a Switzerland-based private company in collaboration with SpiceJet, follows successful trials in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Comprehensive inspections and surveys were conducted by officials from the Cochin Port Trust, Indian Navy, and other involved entities to ensure readiness. “The launch of heli-tourism is a significant step in this direction, making our destinations.