THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister PA Mohammed Riyas has announced that the Union Civil Aviation Ministry has approved 48 routes for seaplane services in Kerala. The routes have been allotted to Ahmedabad-based India One Air, Mehair, PHL, and SpiceJet airlines. A trial seaplane flight was earlier conducted from Kochi to Mattupetty in Idukki.

The minister said that several hurdles still need to be overcome to make the project a reality, but seaplane operations through dams are expected to become a reality in the future. A plan is being prepared to develop the necessary infrastructure.

Passengers will board and disembark through floating waterdromes. In addition to Bolgatty and Mattupetty, waterdromes are being considered at Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Vembanad, Malampuzha, and Bek

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