The seaplanes are expected to hover at around 6500 feet above ground giving the on-board tourists the panoramic view of the mesmerizing beauty of the state. Accordingly, the Mission 676 launched by the Kerala government aims to immediately renovate the major infrastructure and other concerned social schemes to make the state a better place to live in as well as allow no problem to pop up its head during the peak tourist season. The government is also planning effectively not to allow any resistances by the fishermen community who are against the plan as they think that the seaplanes hovering over would hamper their business to a great extent. But according to a study conducted to analyze the impact of seaplanes on inland fisheries no adverse effect has been posed.
The Chief Minister of the state recently launched the airplane service at a waterdrome in Kollam’s Ashtamudi Lake. Sea planes are classified on different basis. There are pure seaplanes and amphibian seaplanes. Other categories include float plane and flying boat. There is either single engine with nine seaters or two twin engine with more than ten seaters available.
The major destinies that are considered includes Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Vembanad, Kochi backwaters and Kottappuram. The seaplanes will be based on zero subsidy and open sky policy. However, the seaplanes would be operational only during the daytime.
It has been planned effectively that at the landing and take-off sites there would be houseboats and also lounges for tourists. This would ensure hectic and hustle free ride to the tourist and would leave them with an experience which they would cherish for lifetime. Ref: http://www.timesofoman.com/News/35390/Article-Kerala-Tourism-set-to-launch-seaplane-service-for-tourists