In a bid to promote use of seaplanes under the subsidised UDAN scheme, the DGCA has revamped its regulatory provisions for the same. Now, commercial pilot license (CPL) holders can qualify as seaplane rated pilots by undertaking training at any ICAO-recognised training organisation globally, said a senior official.
The regulatory framework for seaplane operations was established in 2008 and “was long due for a review” which has now been completed. The revised regulations provide for easier training requirements and simplified approval processes for undertaking seaplane operations. This paves “the way for seaplane services to reach remote, inaccessible areas,” the official added.
“With the revised regulatory provisions, Sea plane operators can utilise the streamlined procedures and optimised infrastructure requirements, to further extend seaplane services across the country and reach the most remote parts of the country, fostering inclusive and sustainable development. The simplified water aerodrome requirements would also aid in economical and efficient operations while maintaining essential safety standards,” he said.
Despite huge potential in India, seaplanes services here are yet to take off. In recent past, seaplane was deployed on a route in Gujarat but the operator’s frail finances meant that the service did not go on for long and the plane returned to Maldives after a few months here. With the new rules, the DGCA is acting as an enabler to make seaplanes realise their true potential here.
“The aviation ministry had spearheaded the initiative on promoting the seaplane ecosystem, providing guidance and engaging with stakeholders, including DGCA, state governments, Airports Authority of India, airlines and aircraft manufacturers. These collaborative efforts have ensured that the new regulations address key stakeholder concerns and pave the way for growth in this niche area…. new training opportunities for support roles are set to enhance employment potential at seaplane hubs nationwide,” the official said.
After PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep earlier this year, there has been renewed interest in promoting island tourism. The Hyderabad Air Show saw a lot of footfalls at the stall of De Havilland which makes the Twin Otter — the popular and only twin engine seaplane which PM Modi had flown to and from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati river in October 2020. As of now, India does not have any seaplane service but government is going all out to start the same in a big way.
Yogesh Garg, De Havilland’s regional VP (sales) Asia Pacific & Middle East, had got the seaplane to India from Maldives’ Island Aviation in 2020 which was used by PM Modi to inaugurate the the country’s first seaplane service between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada district and Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. A water aerodrome was set for this flight. SpiceJet could not operate this route beyond a few months and the service stopped.
“We are in talks with a couple of serious players who are already in aviation business but not airlines and want to start seaplane service in India. We are getting a lot of walk-in queries for seaplanes. The interest is truly amazing,” Garg had told TOI during the air show, adding, “Several state governments are very keen on having this service. For instance, Gujarat wants the Statue of Unity service to restart; Uttarakhand is keen on Tehri lake and the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep administrations want it to link islands. These are just some of the proposed places.”
With this, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Rewa, Khajuraho and Singrauli cities in Madhya Pradesh will be getting connected by air, officials said. To boost the air service, a 50 per cent discount in fare has been doled out for 30 days, they said. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) will operate the air service.
Maldives has 93 seaplanes in operation as of now and adds three to five more annually. “The Twin Otter is one of the sturdiest planes (the plane PM Modi flew in was about 50 years old). Its list price is USD 7.8 million. The floats required to make it an amphibious plane (capable of operating from water and land) costs an additional USD 0.5 million,” he had said.
The aviation ministry plans to have several water ports in India. The recent Maldives-Lakshadweep controversy has given an impetus to promote island tourism in India that has awesome archipelagos like Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
