Opening up the possibility for new vistas in the tourism sector of Kerala, the trial run of the state’s seaplane project was flagged off at a function held in Kochi this morning. Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas flagged off the amphibian aircraft from the backwaters at Kochi Marina. It later landed at the Mattupetty Dam reservoir in Idukki district. The 17-seater seaplane was operated by a Canadian crew. The aircraft will return to Cochin International Airport and proceed to Agatti after refuelling.

The aircraft, once operational, will boost the tourism sector in the state by connecting various airports. The flight offers a unique and picturesque sky view of the Western Ghats and the hill town of Munnar. The service, once operationalized, can also be utilized for the evacuation of people during exigencies and VIP movement. The Kerala government is toying with the idea of forming a tourism circuit by linking various water bodies like Mattupetty, Malampuzha, Vembanad, and Ashtamudi lakes, the Chandragiri River, and Kovalam.