Air taxis, combining helicopters, seaplanes and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), came under the spotlight at the first Kerala Aviation Summit held in Kochi on 23 August . Speakers said such services, if developed, could reshape short-distance travel across the state.
Payal Satheesh, vice-president of Sarla Aviation, said hybrid air taxis could be a practical solution for Kerala’s travel needs, especially in connecting pilgrimage centres and tourist locations. She indicated interest in setting up an operational base at CIAL.
Syed Kamran Hussain, India RSO representative of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, pointed to the need for more infrastructure before seaplane services could take off. He noted that Kerala’s network of water bodies and dams makes it a potential location, provided facilities are improved.
Panellists said destinations such as Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha and Sabarimala could be considered for air taxi routes. Sunil Narayan, managing director of Chipson, observed that seaplanes are particularly useful in areas where road connectivity is weak.
The summit also heard that more helipads would be required if helicopter services were to expand. Speakers suggested that permission for single-engine helicopters to use rooftops could help ease traffic bottlenecks in congested cities.
The session also discussed eVTOLs, which require only limited runway space. Experts said such aircraft, along with smaller helicopters, may provide a way to reduce road congestion in Kerala, where space remains restricted on either side of highways.
Tourism remained a key focus of the conversation. Seaplanes, in particular, were described as well-suited for Kerala’s geography and likely to boost visitor access to popular destinations.
While the concept is still in discussion, participants at the summit agreed that aviation technologies such as seaplanes, helicopters and eVTOLs could form part of Kerala’s mobility future, provided policy and infrastructure support keeps pace.
The discussion, held under the theme Future of Short-Haul Aviation, was moderated by KNG Nair, chairman and managing director of Thumby Aviation. Panelists suggested that Cochin International Airport (CIAL) may emerge as a hub for testing and operating these services.
