Tourism News
Kerala Approves Heli-Tourism Policy to Boost Luxury Travel and Connectivity
Kerala’s state cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has granted in-principle approval for the much-anticipated Heli-Tourism Policy. This initiative aims to establish a robust helicopter service network connecting key tourist destinations across the state, marking a significant step in enhancing Kerala’s luxury travel infrastructure.
The policy outlines the development of heliports, heli-stations, and helipads to support the heli-tourism sector. These facilities are expected to attract private investment and boost high-value tourism, catering to travelers seeking convenience and exclusivity. The state aims to tap into the growing demand for faster intercity travel and seamless connectivity between airports and remote tourist destinations, especially in Kerala’s hilly and interior regions.
Under the new policy, heliports are planned at Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Kochi Airport, and Kannur/Kozhikode Airport, serving as central hubs for helicopter operations. Strategically located heli-stations and helipads will also be established near popular tourist destinations, including Varkala, Jatayupara, Ponmudi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Thekkady, Palakkad, Bekal, and Wayanad. Heliports, requiring a minimum of 10 acres and an investment of ?20 crores, will feature terminal buildings, hangars, fuelling facilities, and air traffic control systems, accommodating up to 16 helicopters with parking bays for 9 helicopters and seating for 150 passengers. Heli stations, designed for smaller areas of 3-5 acres with a cost of ?5 crores, will provide essential landing and take-off facilities, while helipads, simple platforms catering to specific nodes of tourism importance, will enhance last-mile connectivity. The heli-tourism policy positions Kerala as a leader in luxury tourism, catering to high-net-worth individuals seeking hassle-free travel options. Currently, helicopter services in the state rely on rentals from Bengaluru, costing travelers up to ?8 lakh for intercity transfers. By establishing local infrastructure, Kerala hopes to reduce these costs and make helicopter services more accessible.
Tour operators and the tourism industry have welcomed the move, citing its potential to attract elite travelers and enhance connectivity between cities and remote attractions. The policy also mandates operators to provide helicopters for emergency services, such as disaster relief, organ transport, and rescue operations during natural calamities.
The policy encourages public-private partnerships to develop and operate heli-tourism facilities. Government-owned land will be utilized wherever available, and private entities will be selected through competitive processes to run operations. Revenue streams will include fixed fees per passenger and land lease agreements. In certain cases, the government may opt for direct development using its own funds or through a Viability Gap Funding model.
Tourism experts have lauded the policy as transformative. Michael Dominic, Convener of the CII Kerala Tourism Panel, emphasized that strategic investments, competitive pricing, and eco-friendly operations will be critical for the success of heli-tourism in Kerala. By improving city-to-city transfers and access to remote locations, the policy has the potential to redefine travel experiences in the state, making it a premier destination for luxury and short-duration tourism.
The heli-tourism policy is expected to bolster Kerala’s reputation as a world-class travel destination while ensuring sustainable growth through strategic infrastructure development and community involvement.
