Kochi: The first seaplane for Kerala is expected to reach New Delhi before May 13, from where it is scheduled to be brought to the state within a couple of days after obtaining clearances from the Customs and DGCA.
It will be a five-plus-one seater, being leased by Kairali Aviation from a Dubai-based aviation company. "The seaplane is likely to reach New Delhi between May 11 and 13. It might take three-four days for getting the clearance from the Customs and DGCA. It will then be flown to Cochin airport, which will be the base of the seaplane operations in Kerala," colonel (retd) KR Sasikumar, the owner of Bangalore-based Kairali Aviation said.
The Kerala government is reportedly anxious to launch the service to mark its second anniversary. State tourism minister AP Anil Kumar said the maiden flight would be taken out probably between May 18 and 25.
10/05/13 T Ramavarman/Times of India
