Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on August 22 launched the Guidelines for seaplane operations in India as the country’s long coastline and vast network of rivers and lakes presents a viable opportunity for the development of this fast mode of transport.
In his address at the event held at the Indian Aviation Academy, the Minister said that these guidelines not only integrate seaplane operations into India’s aviation landscape for transportation and tourism but also create jobs and foster economic empowerment, making seaplanes a symbol of the country’s growth, innovation, and commitment to inclusive development.
Naidu also announced that the demonstration flights of the seaplane by manufacturer DeHavilland would be held shortly.
He said India’s 7,517 km long coastline and extensive network of rivers and lakes present a unique opportunity for the development of seaplane operations in the country. After a careful study of the situation and drawing from the experience of helicopter operations, the Government has taken a flexible and pragmatic approach to ensure the growth of seaplane operations.
“Our goal is to create a regulatory framework that fosters innovation, promotes growth, and generates employment opportunities for pilots, maintenance staff, and ground crews by prioritizing local workforce development. We envision developing Multimodal Transport Hubs for seamless connectivity between seaplanes and other transport modes,” the minister said.
He explained that the guidelines would enable seaplane operations under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) to make use of the operations under a Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP). “The extension of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the RCS to seaplane operations would provide the initial fillip to the operators. While seeking to promote seaplane operations, due care has been taken to ensure the safety and security of the operations,” he added.
The Minister further informed that despite initial challenges, particularly in the development of water aerodromes, the Government has taken a flexible and pragmatic approach to ensure the continued growth of seaplane operations.
