The move comes as authorities have successfully completed all groundwork, including trial runs, for launching seaplane services to Lakshadweep from Kochi Airport. Spice Shuttle, a subsidiary of SpiceJet, is expected to operate a 22-seater aircraft on this route, catering to both the general public and tourists.

A one-way trip is expected to cost around ₹12,000, while the authorities plan to extend a few tickets at subsidised rates ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 under the UDAN scheme.

A similar model of the proposed Kochi–Lakshadweep seaplane, manufactured by De Havilland Canada, was used to conduct the trial flight from Kochi to Mattupetty on 11 November 2024.

In addition to the Kochi–Lakshadweep service, officials are exploring several other inter-district routes such as Kochi–Wayanad and Kochi–Idukki. Potential destinations for future expansion are expected to leverage Kerala’s abundant natural beauty, including Kovalam, Ashtamudi Lake, Kumarakom, Idukki Dam, Malampuzha Dam, Banasura Sagar Dam, and Bekal. The use of seaplanes, which can operate from waterdromes on lakes, dams, and backwaters, offers a unique opportunity to boost tourism and drastically cut travel time across the state’s picturesque but geographically challenging landscape.

The seaplane initiative, initially proposed over a decade ago in 2013, has faced its share of hurdles, including environmental concerns raised by activists regarding possible ecological disruption in sensitive water bodies. Despite this, the state government has pushed forward, addressing operational complexities and receiving over seven proposals from interested private operators.

The state is currently working on an operational policy framework, a mandate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to pave the way for the tendering process.