Kerala’s ambitious heli-tourism plan hasn’t taken flight yet. Despite being pitched as a gamechanger for luxury travel across tourist hotspots like Munnar, Kumarakom, and Thekkady, the initiative is stuck on the runway. The tourism department, unable to attract enough helicopter service providers, has now extended the deadline for Expression of Interest (EoI), for the third time.
The first call for operators went out in May. So far, only one has shown interest. And officials say that’s simply not enough. “We need at least one more valid proposal to move ahead. Otherwise, the project might not survive,” reportedly said an official from the tourism department, suggesting the process could be repeated once more if the current proposal doesn't match the criteria.
The idea behind heli-tourism is straightforward — certified helicopter operators would offer safe, regular flights connecting destinations like Kochi, Munnar, Vagamon, Bekal, and Thekkady. But the ground reality is anything but smooth.
Industry insiders believe the state needs to do more. "Helicopter services are a costly affair. Unless the government assures some basic business or minimum flying hours, private players won’t come forward,” Anil Narayanan of Chipsan Aviation quoted in a TNIE news report.
When the project was launched back in December 2023, it didn’t get the expected push — partly due to the absence of a clear policy. That changed when the cabinet approved a proper heli-tourism policy in December 2024. Even so, things haven't moved much.
Narayanan pointed out that a similar model already works with the Kerala Police, which pays for 25 flying hours every month. “A setup like that will bring in at least five players out of the 20 active ones in the country,” he added.
The other roadblock is regulatory. Some of Kerala’s most scenic spots, like Athirappilly, fall under forest zones. Flying over these areas requires special permission — something that is still in limbo.
“We’ve already written to the forest department. We need clarity on flying height and timings,” Narayanan said.
Kerala has around 20 functional helipads across the state, many of which are ready to be used. But without enough players and policy push, they remain largely underutilised.
