India has completed trial seaplane operations connecting the southern city of Kochi with the remote Lakshadweep archipelago, airport authorities said, in a move aimed at improving regional transport links and boosting tourism to the island territory.

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which operates the airport in Kerala state, said on Wednesday that a series of test flights had been successfully conducted using a DHC6-400 Twin Otter seaplane between Kochi and Lakshadweep’s Agatti Island.

The trial programme included flights from Kochi to Agatti, training and operational exercises at Agatti’s water aerodrome, and return services to the mainland, CIAL said in a statement.

The 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft, operated by private aviation company Skyhope Aviation Ltd, is expected to be deployed on routes linking Kochi with several islands in Lakshadweep, including Agatti, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kadmat, and Kiltan.

Airport authorities said the initiative could improve access to the remote Indian Ocean islands, where transportation options are limited and inter-island travel often depends on boats or infrequent air services.

“The initiative is expected to open up new possibilities for tourism, emergency access, and faster inter-island connectivity,” CIAL said.

Lakshadweep, a federally administered Indian territory made up of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, lies around 400 kilometres (250 miles) off India’s southwestern coast. Only a small number of the islands are inhabited, and visitor access remains restricted.

Officials say seaplane services could provide a faster and more flexible transport alternative for residents and tourists while supporting emergency medical access and economic activity in the islands.

The proposed seaplane connectivity is expected to significantly improve accessibility to the islands while also boosting tourism, emergency connectivity, and regional economic development in Lakshadweep.

The initiative is viewed as a major milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Kerala and the island territories while opening new opportunities for sustainable tourism and faster transportation services.

Source: metrovaartha/TOI