Kerala to maintain an open sky policy for seaplane project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will adopt an open sky policy for the seaplane project so that more than one operator can take advantage of the situation, tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said here on Friday.

Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited will conduct the feasibility study for the project at a cost of Rs 30 lakh and present its report in a month. "Pawan Hans was chosen to do the study as it is a government agency", the minister said. "Five domestic companies had approached the tourism department to operate seaplanes in Kerala. We are yet to fully understand the financial feasibility of the project and so an expression of interest should be invited shortly," he said.

Addressing the media after a project presentation by the tourism department for the chief minister, tourism secretary T K Manoj Kumar said that the department was conducting a destination study. "We are looking for amphibious aircraft that can take off from airports at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Karipur and land at water bodies in Peechi, Malampuzha, Wayanad etc. Around 20 destinations have been studied but they will further shortlisted when the environmental impact study for the waterdrome is conducted," he said.

The government is considering approaching the central government for subsidy on the project. Additionally the government can make the offer lucrative for the operators by offering various concessions on Air Turbine Fuel, landing/parking charges etc.

The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues were shown twin-radial engine amphibious flying boats during the presentation. But the tourism department will have to opt for a humbler version. For instance, a Dornier Seastar, Caravan or a Twin-Otter with passenger capacity of 13 to 20. The financial estimates have also been kept at the lowest common denominator, such as the projected running cost (per seat/mile) is at Rs 37 for a Seastar, Rs 36 each for a Caravan or a Twin-Otter class. But industry watchers said it could be much steeper, touching at Rs 50 and above. According to the initial analysis of the financial breakup of the project by the tourism department, 35% of the cost would be taken up by fuel, 22% depreciation and maintenance cost and 12% will be the marketing cost incurred by state government for the project. The rest is split between HR, insurance and financing.

The chief minister was hoping to land a seaplane during the Emerging Kerala conclave, but that has clearly been ruled out after Friday's meeting citing DGCA clearances

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Kerala-to-maintain-an-open-sky-policy-for-seaplane-project/articleshow/14508929.cms