Proposed Seaplane facility to give major boost to tourism in Kasargod

Proposed Seaplane facility to give major boost to tourism in Kasargod

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasargod, Jun 21, 2013: In a major decision that is expected to boost tourism in Kasargod  district,  the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL) has  chosen Neeleeshwar Kotappura  to provide seaplane facility at a cost of Rs 12 crore.  A seaplane facility is already available at Alappuzha in Kerala and is providing a great experience to tourists.

Kairali Aviation having its headquarter in Dubai, Maritime Energy Heli Air Service in Mumbai, and Kerala Seaplane Services, will be operating these flights. Sources said initially, six-seater seaplanes will become operative

The KTIL, it is learnt, has plans to extend the seaplane facility to Mangalore too in due course of  time. The Seaplane facility is quite popular in the state  and the KTIL has conducted preliminary surveys at Koteppura  and Talangere for the purpose.

If everything goes as per plan, then Kasargod will get the first seaplane in August. The small boat jetty in Kotappura will be developed into a parking area for seaplanes. It is learnt, the facility will be extended to Mangalore subject to the approval of Karnataka government. In the future, seaplanes will operate from Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram airport, in addition to New Mangalore port. KTIL has plans to begin seaplane operations from 20 different centres.