KSEB seaplane project: Five companies express interest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five companies have expressed interest in acquiring the seaplane project being implemented at KSEB dams. Enhance Aviation Services, Chipson Aviation, Pinnacle Air, Kairali Aviation and Guardian Aviation International are competing for the project. KSEB issued the letter of interest on April 6.

Priority will be given to operators who have obtained the necessary permits and licenses and offers KSEB with the best landing fee. Chipson Aviation has offered a higher landing fee. They have offered a landing fee of up to Rs 20,000 for helicopters. The instructions include the Airbus 135 and the Bell 407, which are submersible Cessna and helicopters.

After reviewing the documents, the KSEB Expert Committee, which examined the papers, said it would recommend to the board to allow others to follow in the footsteps of companies that have paid higher landing fees.

The seaplane project was introduced in the state by the UDF government in Emerging Kerala. The Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL) under the Department of Tourism has been entrusted with the management of the seaplane project. Companies like Kerala Aviation Company, Kairali Airlines and Seabird Seaplane Services expressed interest back then. But they withdrew due to opposition.