If you look at India’s topographical map, you will realise that India has a long coastal line of thousands of kilometres stretching across nine states and four union territories namely - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal and Union Territories - Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep Islands, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In order to give a final push to the seaplane service, the government in August 2024 released new Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules for seaplanes allowing non-scheduled operators to provide such services. The rules were simplified with the aim to encourage seaplane operations under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEAPLANE SERVICE IN INDIA

Looking at this huge opportunity, SpiceJet along with Government of Gujrat introduced a seaplane service in October 2020 from Ahmedabad to a famous tourist spot about 200 kilometers away – ‘Kevadia’- home to the new ‘Statue of Unity’ of Former Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Patel.

The new service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who joined the first flight and took the 50-minute ride from Kevadia to the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Just as the first flight took off, it was clear that the service was headed for rough waters. It was found that SpiceJet did not have the necessary environmental clearances related to the construction of water aerodromes in both cities. Apart from the regulatory issues, there were serious maintenance issues with the aircraft in operation.

SpiceJet leased a 15-seat De Havilland Twin Otter 300 from Maldivian. However, the 52-year-old aircraft required frequent maintenance leading to constant suspension of service. In fact, in the first four months of operation, the aircraft was sent back to Maldives for week-long overhaul, leading to mounting losses for the operator.

Finally, in 2021, SpiceJet discontinued the seaplane service citing operational reasons. In over a year and a half, just 276 flights took off carrying a mere 2,192 passengers. In February 2022, the Government floated another tender for seaplane service. The tender was awarded to Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR). The Government was slightly sure of success this time round due to MEHAIR’s prior experience with seaplane services, having served the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for over a decade with a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans. Besides the aircraft maintenance work could be carried out at Ahmedabad MRO instead of sending the aircraft to Maldives.

The adoption of Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP) framework and reduced infrastructure requirements have made seaplane operations more feasible, paving the way for India to explore 60-100 seaplane routes over the next five years

The year-2022 went by without any action...Experts felt that somewhere along the way the deal broke-off. The Government still hopeful of a launch floated a new tender in May 2023 but it didn’t have many takers, due to obvious reasons.

The government waited and waited, it was just a matter of time now for the investors to get the business model right, and it did. But this time the government was prepared. “There is no deadline pressure. We want to ensure that everything is in place before the services resume,” said Captain Ajay Chauhan, director of civil aviation, Gujarat.

GOVERNMENT RELAXED NORMS INVITE FRESH BIDS

Under UDAN 5.4, the government invited fresh bids for routes that were cancelled for some reason or the other, to provide connectivity on unserved routes. The Minister of Civil Aviation also announced that the demonstration flights of the seaplane by manufacturer De Havilland would be held shortly, giving a new lease of life to seaplane operations in the country.

As per the new norms:

• non-scheduled entities would be allowed to operate such services and with a simplified certificate process.
• there will be no need for a water-drome license and compliance requirements have also been reduced.
• fresh Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders can now directly obtain seaplane ratings that will allow them to fly seaplanes.

The adoption of Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP) framework for seaplanes was considered as a significant step forward in the Government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity. Earlier in June, the DGCA revised norms to streamline infrastructure procedures, pilot training requirements, and regulatory compliances, paving the way for seaplane services to reach remote areas. The revised regulations incorporated easier training requirements and simplified processes for seaplane operations.

The government released these guidelines not only integrate seaplane operations into India’s aviation landscape for transportation but also create jobs and foster economic empowerment, making seaplanes a symbol of the country’s growth, innovation, and commitment to inclusive development.

Recent trial runs for seaplane services in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Meghalaya highlighted the potential for drastically reduced travel times and enhanced connectivity to remote and scenic destinations

The government had an ambitious vision to set up water aerodromes at 18 places spread across Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Goa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

And just like that the date was set for trial run. The trial run of the first ever seaplane service in the Andhra Pradesh was to be conducted as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was keen on starting the service immediately and necessary permissions from the Centre have been cleared.

THE MAGICAL SEAPLANE DAYS

Among potential seaplane sites, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) identified the Prakasam Barrage as a prime location along with eight other scenic destinations for potential service routes, including Araku, Lambasingi, Rushikonda, Kakinada, Konaseema, Srisailam, and Tirupati. These sites were chosen for their cultural significance and natural beauty with the hope to enhance travel experiences and boost the influx of domestic and international tourist.

The seaplane made its inaugural journey from the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, landing safely in the waters of the reservoir before proceeding to the Srisailam Tourism Boating Team. The trial run was overseen by a team of officials, including representatives from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police, Tourism Department, and the Air Force, ensuring all safety measures were in place.

Day after the after the successful trial run, Andhra Pradesh CM, N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a demonstration flight of a seaplane service. The Chief Minister along with Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Yogesh Garg of De Havilland, Ajay Singh and Avani Singh of SpiceJet along with other officials’ journey were onboard the first seaplane to the temple town of Srisailam.

Speaking during the launch, CM Naidu emphasised that the introduction of seaplane services would be an innovative opportunity to promote economic activities to create employment. He further went on to highlight that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also came forward to promote seaplane operations in the southern state, which does not require the expensive infrastructure needed for a regular airport. With this launch, MoCA Naidu said that a new chapter is being opened in Andhra Pradesh, adding that seaplane operations will not only change the future of the state but also India.

The Andhra Pradesh government intends to position the state as a leader in India’s water-based aviation industry by launching seaplane services. Thus began the seaplane week in India. One of the names orchestrating this complete module was the Regional Vice President, Sales, Asia-Pacific and Middle East at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Yogesh Garg. He hopped from one destination to other the entire week ensuring smooth operations. Sharing his feeling of profound pride after the first take-off Garg said: “Seeing the dignitaries experience the seaplane firsthand was a proud moment, and a powerful reminder of how this initiative can open new doors for development, tourism, and connectivity to Srisailam’s heritage.”

If you go by road, the journey from Prakasam Barrage to Srisailam Barrage takes eight hours but a seaplane will help you reach your destination in 45 to 50 minutes, that’s the magic of seaplanes and remote connectivity.

The second demo flight was conducted in Kerala on November 11, 2024 from Kochi Marina to Madupetty Dam, soaring up to reach one of Kerala’s highest and most scenic dams at 5,600 feet. It takes around three hours from the Cochin International Airport and 3.5 hours from the Ernakulam railway station to reach Munnar by road. Once the seaplane is in operation, the travel time of over four hours will be down to 25 short and hassle-free minutes.

The third demo flight took off on November 12, 2024 from Agatti in Lakshadweep to Minicoy Island, the journey that currently takes an entire day, was shortened to just one hour with a seaplane! The Twin Otter’s unique capability to operate in challenging weather conditions signalled a new era of seamless connectivity and accessibility for these islands.

A demo of the seaplane was launched from the beautiful Umiam lake on November 11, 2024. For a seaplane to land and take-off it takes 200 metres of water body and five metres of depth and with the terrain and landscape of Meghalaya this will be conducive as water bodies can be created as there is plenty of rainfall. Plus, it would be extremely cost-effective as it would take around ₹15 lakh to build a dam for landing rather than building a runway for an airport.

From Meghalaya the demo flights continued to explore other unchartered waters in North East like the majestic Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, cutting down the travel time from Shillong to Guwahati Airport to just 15 minutes. The final demo flight was conducted at the picturesque Andaman and Nicobar Islands promising gorgeous views, faster travel, and better connectivity to hard-to-reach places in the Islands.

Just as the demo flights concluded, Flybig announced their plans to start the first-ever seaplane services in the Islands by deploying De Havilland’s Twin Otter. Apart from the planned routes Flybig plans to add more routes and destinations within the Andamans to its future roster.

SPICEJET’S AMBITIOUS PLANS TO TAP THE UNCHARTED WATERS

Apart from Flybig, SpiceJet has partnered with De Havilland to launch seaplane operations in 2025 connecting India’s most remote locations. The airline will provide essential engineering, technical, and logistical assistance for these services. The 20 routes on which seaplane operations will be launched include Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong.

Explaining the potential of seaplanes to revolutionise regional connectivity in India, Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said: “Seaplanes could make remote and beautiful parts of India more accessible, helping to bridge gaps in infrastructure and transportation.”

Sharing her excitement about the seaplane project, Avani Singh, the Chief Executive of Spice Shuttle, SpiceJet’s seaplane division said: “SpiceJet’s goal in regional connectivity has been to make air travel affordable and accessible to everyone, no matter how remote their location.”

Singh believes that seaplanes are a gamechanger for India geographic diversity—such as coastlines, rivers, and islands—can make building traditional infrastructure difficult. Seaplanes can overcome these challenges by connecting coastal areas, islands, and remote inland regions, bringing the benefits of air travel to these previously hard-to-reach destinations. The airline plans to officially launch its new seaplane services in 2025.

WHY IS SEAPLANE A FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO COMMERCIAL AIR TRAVEL & HELICOPTERS?

The seaplanes have come at a time when tourism players have been stressing the need to reduce travel time and Indian aviation market is at its all-time peak. However, unlike traditional airports, water aerodromes require limited infrastructure and construction time, making them efficient and cost-effective solutions for regional connectivity. The government aims to finalise passenger fares following a feasibility study, with full service expected to launch within three months. This venture is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to maintain affordability for travellers.

Apart from the time and money saving option for passengers, seaplane operations will give socio-economic boost to the entire region while promoting the tourism industry of the country. Seaplane services are expected to create jobs within aviation and related sectors, driving industrial growth and strengthening the state economy. By drawing more passenger traffic and broadening tourism’s footprint, the initiative has the potential to spur local development.

Some of the most obvious advantages of Seaplanes are a significant reduction in travel time and travel cost to remote locations. No motion-sickness due to long and arduous ferry rides. Plus, an added advantage of robust aircraft performance even in rough waters and adverse weather, ensuring reliable operations year-round.

THE FORECAST FOR SEAPLANE OPS AND FUTURE OF TWIN-OTTER IN INDIA

Just as the seaplane demo concluded earlier this month, Yogesh Garg of De Havilland goes on to predict significant growth potential for its DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft in India. “We expect to see at least 8-10 seaplanes deployed within the next 8-12 months,” Garg said.

The plane costs nearly ₹60 crore per unit. However, it is expected to be deployed under the leasing model. De Havilland’s forecasts a requirement of at least 30-40 seaplanes in India over the next five years and expected to increase to about 60-70 aircraft over the next decade. He also forecasted the creation of 60-100 seaplane routes over the next five years, leading to the development of nearly 30 waterdromes signalling a strong future of seaplane connectivity in India. Currently, there are around 30 seaplane routes in India under the central government’s air regional connectivity Udan scheme.

Seaplane operations are paving the way for a new era of regional connectivity that is innovative, efficient, and sustainable. All-in-all, a seaplane solution can truly transform lives in India by improving connectivity, boosting tourism, and fostering economic development opening new horizons for remote, unchartered waters.