Kochi-Lakshadweep seaplane service to start on Monday

KOCHI: The much-awaited seaplane service connecting Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery) and Lakshadweep will begin operations on Monday. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu will officially inaugurate the service at Agatti on Saturday. The new service aims to improve connectivity between Kerala and Lakshadweep while giving a major boost to tourism in the island territory.

The service will use amphibious aircraft, which can take off and land on both land and water. The aircraft, which can carry 20 people, including the pilot and cabin crew, will make travel between Kochi and Lakshadweep's islands faster and more convenient.

In the first phase, the service will connect the major islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agatti, Kadmat, and Kiltan. The service is expected to be expanded to more islands in the future. Ahead of the launch, the final trial flight was successfully completed on Thursday.