The dream of hopping across the turquoise islands of Lakshadweep in a seaplane may soon become a reality.
In a major boost to tourism and connectivity, the Centre has moved a step closer to launching seaplane
operations across the Lakshadweep archipelago. A key expert panel under the Union Environment Ministry on March 20 has recommended environmental clearance for “water aerodrome” projects on six islands, according to official documents accessed by CNN-News18.
The proposed network will connect Kochi with six islands—Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Kadmat, Minicoy, and Agatti—potentially transforming how tourists travel across one of India’s most remote and picturesque destinations.
For years, Lakshadweep’s breathtaking lagoons and coral islands remained difficult to access, with tourists largely dependent on limited flights to Agatti and long ship journeys from Kochi. Officials now believe seaplanes could change that completely.
The project is already drawing comparisons with the Maldives, where seaplanes have become synonymous with luxury island tourism. If all approvals come through, visitors to Lakshadweep could soon land directly on lagoons surrounded by crystal-clear waters instead of relying solely on conventional airports and ferries.
The push comes amid rising interest in Lakshadweep after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s widely publicised visit to the islands in January 2024. Images of pristine beaches and blue lagoons triggered a tourism buzz online, with officials seeing an opportunity to position Lakshadweep as a global island destination.
Interestingly, the groundwork has already begun.
On May 13 this year, the first-ever seaplane trial flight between Kochi and Lakshadweep was successfully carried out using a DHC6-400 Twin Otter aircraft. The aircraft landed first at Agatti and later touched down smoothly in the lagoon near Kavaratti—marking the first seaplane landing in Lakshadweep’s waters.
Officials described the trial as a milestone moment in the islands’ transport history.
The proposed “water aerodromes” will not resemble full-fledged airports. Instead, they will include compact passenger terminals, floating walkways, and docking facilities designed specifically for seaplane operations.
Among the six islands, Kavaratti is expected to see the highest passenger traffic, with projections estimating over 16,000 travellers annually. Agatti, Kalpeni, and Kiltan are also expected to witness significant tourist movement once operations begin, at about 8,000 passengers each annually.
Officials say the service could dramatically cut travel time between islands while opening up remote locations that remain difficult to access today.
If the project takes off as planned, Lakshadweep may finally be preparing for its biggest tourism transformation yet.
