Seaplane de Havilland Canada lands at Bolgatty Waterdrome; Tourism Minister to flag off trial service on Monday
Kochi / November 10, 2024
Kochi Nov 10: Giving a massive fillip to Kerala’s tourism sector, the seaplane 'de Havilland Canada' landed at the Bolgatty waterdrome on Kochi Lake’s cityside on Sunday evening.
Tourism Secretary Shri K Biju, Aviation Secretary Shri Biju Prabhakar, District Collector Shri NSK Umesh, Kerala Tourism Additional Director Shri P Vishnuraj and representatives of various tourism organisations welcomed the amphibious aircraft.
Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas will flag off the first service of the 17-seater plane to Mattupetti at 9.30 a.m. on Monday.
Industries, Law, and Coir Minister Shri P Rajeeve will preside over the function at Bolgatty Palace.
Later, the crew and passengers of the seaplane, ‘de Havilland Canada’, will be accorded a reception at Mattupetty Dam in Idukki district in the presence of Minister for Water Resources Shri Roshy Augustine.
The seaplane service that comes under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, which is aimed at increasing the connectivity of Kerala’s four airports and backwaters, offering subsidised fares.
These are small planes with 9, 15, 17, 20 and 30 seats. Passengers board the aircraft from waterdromes that float on water.
Canadian pilots Daniel Montgomery and Rodger Brindger operated the flight that reached Kochi International Airport at 11 a.m. Other crew members were Yogesh Garg, Sandeep Das, Sayyid Kamran Hussain, and Mohan Singh.
Tourism Secretary K Biju said the seaplane service offers an excellent opportunity for stakeholders, including a new package that includes various tourist destinations.
“It will help create new enterprises in the tourism sector and thereby create employment opportunities,” he said.
“The holidaymakers will get the opportunity to visit more destinations quickly.”
A Switzerland-based private company and SpiceJet operate de Havilland Canada, which arrived here after trial services in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Top officials from Cochin Port Trust, the Indian Navy, and de Havilland Canada visited the locations and inspected logistical challenges.
Feasibility and hydrographic surveys were also completed before the launch to offer seamless services.
The project can significantly save travel time from the four international airports to the hinterland.
Waterdromes can be built around major water bodies in all districts. In addition to Bolgatty and Mattupetti, Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Vembanad, Malampuzha, and Bekal are being considered.
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