Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala government has decided in principle to implement the seaplane project aimed at boosting tourism in the state.
The public sector Pavan Hans would be entrusted with the work to carry out technical feasibility study of the project, State Minister for Tourism A P Anil Kumar said after a meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to discuss it.
Five companies have approached the state government expressing interest in the project, he said adding government aims to have an open sky policy instead of having monopoly for any particular company.
A final decision would be taken on the project planned under Tourism Development programmes only after conducting environment impact and financial feasibility of the project, he said.
A total of 20 spots have been identified for the project now, he said. Government plans to showcase the project in the coming 'Emerging Kerala' meet to be held in September in Kochi.
Seaplanes are small aircraft designed to take off from land and float in the water.