The travel time from Kochi to Munnar may soon drop dramatically from a few hours by road to just 25 minutes by seaplane. The trial seaplane service aims to bridge this gap, making travel more convenient and appealing, especially for tourists. Currently, tourists access Munnar via the Neriayamangalam and Adimali routes, with around 14 kilometers of this journey passing through forested areas. Due to travel restrictions, particularly for night travel, visitors often need to leave Munnar by noon, impacting tourism during the off-season. Authorities hope that the new seaplane service, which would allow quick access for both tourists and locals, will boost Munnar’s tourism industry. Moreover, it could help provide quicker access to medical facilities in Kochi for residents of Munnar and nearby areas, including Kanthalloor and Marayoor.
Launched under the central government’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik) scheme, this service is part of an initiative to connect remote areas and promote affordable air travel to tourist destinations. A 17-seater Canadian-built seaplane by de Havilland, backed by SpiceJet, has successfully completed its test flight for this route. While ticket prices have not yet been finalized, they are expected to range between ₹1,500 to ₹5,000, based on similar past services. Tickets may be available on platforms like SpiceShuttle.
Environmental concerns have arisen, however. The forest department expressed worry that the noise from the seaplane could disrupt local wildlife, particularly elephants in the Mattupetty region, where about ten wild elephants are known to frequent the dam for water. Initially planned for Idukki Dam, the landing site was shifted to Mattupetty due to similar concerns, but forest officials have now asked authorities to reconsider using Mattupetty as well. Balancing the advantages of this service with its impact on the local environment remains a key consideration.
