Seaplanes to take wings next year in Kerala

Giving a shot in the arm for the state’s tourism sector, the seaplanes will make their debut, and take off from a tourist spot in the state in 2013. Pawan Hans, the national helicopter company, has made a pre-feasibility study of the ambitious project, identifying the possible tourist spots in the state.
“Supporting the initiative, the state government will allow a concession in the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) tax and follow an open sky policy,” said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while attending the Kerala Seaplane Project Interested Operators Conference as part of ‘Emerging Kerala 2012’ on Thursday. The government will not charge the operators for the first three years, till the sector is developed, and a sum of `12 crore has been earmarked for the infrastructure development at the landing spots.
The twin-engine amphibious planes have a maximum capacity of 19 passengers. Apart from tourism, the planes can also be used for passenger transport and rescue operations.
16/09/12 Chandrakanth Viswanath/New Indian Express/IBN Live

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Categories: New Sep 2012