The state of Kerala in Southwest India has invested $2.2 million in a seaplane operation to promote major destinations located near its 24 lakes and water bodies known for backwater tourism and houseboats. Kerala Tourism Infrastructure (KTIL), the nodal agency for the project, awaits a Directorate General of Civil Aviation no-objection certificate (NOC), and plans a launch in mid-May.
Of six operators that have shown interest, Kerala Seaplanes and Pinnacle Air, offering a mix of Twin Otters, Cessna Caravans and Cessna 206s, stand ready to start operations once they complete trial flights. As an incentive, the state has waived parking and landing charges for a year for those registered before January 31.
The business model does not include a permanently constructed terminal. KTIL is building five marked “waterdromes”–one kilometer by 250 meters wide–with houseboats and jetties for terminals so it can move the facilities to other bodies of water as the need arises.
22/04/13 Neelam Mathews/AIN Online
