Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has been granted 48 seaplane routes by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, marking a major boost for the state’s tourism and connectivity plans, Tourism Minister PA Muhammad Riyas announced on Facebook.

The minister said that the state is preparing to build the necessary infrastructure for seaplane operations, with further steps to roll out the project already underway.

Exciting pilot flights conducted

As part of the seaplane initiative, Kerala recently conducted trial flights from Kochi to Mattupetty in Idukki, which received an enthusiastic response from the public. “The seaplane project has overcome several challenges, and we are continuing our efforts to make it a reality. The Aviation Department has officially granted Kerala 48 seaplane routes,” Riyas said.

Currently, India One Air, MEHAIR, PHL, and SpiceJet have been granted permission to operate on these new routes. The state government is coordinating efforts to ensure that once operational, the project runs smoothly and efficiently.

Government Support and Budget Allocation

The LDF government has already allocated funds for the project, and officials are working on developing the necessary facilities along the selected routes. Minister Riyas stressed that the seaplane project is expected to transform transport and tourism in Kerala, connecting key destinations across the state via dams and water bodies.