Seaplanes key to tourism, but experts want studied approach

T'puram/Kochi: In a groundbreaking development for the state's tourism sector, the trial run of the seaplane began from Mattupetty dam near Munnar, one of the state's most popular destinations, and landed in Kochi in just 16 minutes. Travelling by road takes four hours, with potential delays due to traffic jams further stretching it, especially during peak seasons.

Aviation secretary Biju Prabhakar, who was at the helm of the seaplane project until last week and played a pivotal role in its trial success, believes the initiative will not only boost tourism but also improve the state's inter-airport connectivity. "The seaplane project will be a game changer," said Prabhakar, emphasising the aircraft's amphibious capabilities, which make it highly versatile for Kerala's unique geography.

The state govt has already submitted a list of proposed routes to Centre, including tourism hotspots such as Kovalam, Kumarakom, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Bolgatty, Malampuzha, Banasurasagar, Chandragiri, and Chaliyar. The goal is to keep the travel time between any two destinations under 30 minutes.

The project also aims to address regional connectivity issue. In the past, the govt explored the possibility of establishing airstrips in remote areas such as Kasaragod, Wayanad, and Idukki. But the plans faced multiple roadblocks, primarily related to land acquisition. The seaplane offers a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional airstrips, requiring only water bodies or small landing areas to operate.

For travellers, the estimated cost of a seaplane ride on the Kochi-Munnar route will be between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000. While this may seem close to the average road fare, which is between Rs 4,000 and Rs 4,500 for a hired vehicle, it offers substantial time savings and a more comfortable journey. On a typical peak tourist day, 380 to 420 tourist vehicles, mostly SUVs and MUVs, make the journey to Munnar, further clogging the already busy roads.

The operating cost of the seaplane is up to ₹14,000 per passenger for an hour's flight. Though the seaplanes have a maximum capacity of 19 passengers, the service would require passenger-assistance crew if there are more than 14 passengers per flight. The seaplane's smaller capacity also ensures a more intimate and relaxed travel experience, compared to the congestion of tourist buses or cars.

The seaplane project's vision goes beyond tourism. It is designed to offer seamless connectivity between the state's airports, reducing the dependence on long and tedious road journeys. Being a state with tourism as its USP, and with its airports catering to both international and domestic travellers, inter-airport connectivity could significantly enhance the state's appeal. "This project will not only boost tourism but also provide a fast and efficient link between major airports in the state," said Prabhakar.

Once fully operational, the seaplane services are expected to attract both domestic and international tourists, offering them a unique and efficient way to explore Kerala's scenic locations.

Tourism expert and Kerala Hydel Tourism Project former director Murali Menon said: "Along with natural facilities, we should provide tourists with the most modern facilities. We shouldn't oppose a project only for the sake of political opposition. Many countries are successfully operating seaplane services," he said.

"Through a scientific study report, the govt can counter the baseless arguments regarding the negative impact on the environment. With an effective market study, the govt can also avoid failures like in the caravan tourism project," he said.

Tourism consultant Prashanth Menon said: "Lack of proper marketing and monitoring system by the govt was the reason for the caravan tourism's failure. Kerala can easily follow the successful seaplane model in countries like Maldives. We should experiment. Opposing it without experimenting cannot be accepted," he said.

Kerala Travel Mart president Jose Pradeep is hopeful that seaplane will attract even domestic tourists along with foreign tourists, as the govt will offer tickets at a subsidised rate. "There are around 500 seaplane services in the Maldives which are operating successfully. We can make it a big success by adopting a good marketing strategy," he said.