India Is Betting On Seaplanes Again — Will It Take Off This Time?
India has lessons to learn from its own failed attempts in the past, and from its neighbour Maldives, which has the world's largest fleet.
In 2014, a seaplane flew from Mumbai to Pavana Dam, near Lonavla, a hill station around 90 km from India’s commercial capital.
That year also saw attempts to launch seaplane routes from Juhu to Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai falter because of a lack of approvals for a jetty at Chowpatty put a stop to the project.
Those were pretty much the first and last flights.
A whole decade later, the Maharashtra government said last week it was reviving its seaplane tourism project and is now aiming for India’s first multi-route seaplane network.
MTDC released bids in April, inviting domestic and international operators to manage and operate seaplane services.
The bids were opened in early May and are under evaluation.
And this time around, operators are mandated to conduct feasibility studies before launching services.
Maharashtra’s bid to revive this project will likely create awareness and boost the nascent industry in India. In fact, the current Indian government is keen on tapping into the seaplane industry to boost tourism.
India’s civil aviation ministry has initiated action to include seaplane operators under the latest 5.4 version of the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme.
Having identified 100 seaplane routes, the first phase of UDAN includes around 28 routes with the potential to start operations by 2026. It is estimated that around ten seaplanes will be required for the first phase and 30 to 40 over the next five years.
Bids have been invited under Udan to include seaplane routes along some of the 7517 km long coastline and an extensive network of rivers and lakes. Asangba Chuba Ao, joint secretary at the civil aviation ministry, told The Core,
“It is work in action. We expect some response.” Three operators are said to have shown interest. They include SpiceJet-owned SpiceShuttle, Heritage Aviation and Mehair.
Despite the government initiatives, the success of seaplanes in India is dependent on several factors. The industry at the moment faces multiple challenges, including unfriendly regulations and bureaucratic processes. But this time around, the government has perhaps learnt lessons from the past.
Why Sea Planes?
The introduction of seaplanes aims at connecting remote idyllic, untapped coastal access, remote islands, and inland water bodies with an aim to significantly boost adventure and eco-tourism.
In the long run, this could result in an increased demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local attractions, benefiting small businesses, including tour guides and handicraft sellers.
States interested in seaplanes have a primary focus on tourism.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, inter-island connectivity will reduce travel time. In Lakshadweep, connecting the islands of Minicoy and Kavaratti via seaplanes will enhance accessibility and promote eco-tourism.
Goa is planning to offer scenic coastal flights, attracting adventure travellers. In Himachal Pradesh, seaplanes will provide fast access to remote lakes and valleys, also supporting emergency medical services. Andhra Pradesh has proposed routes to include Prakasam Barrage and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
Fourteen water aerodromes are in various stages of development across Gujarat, Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. MoUs have been signed with the civil aviation and waterways ministries.
Lessons From The Past
However, there are lessons to be learnt from the past.
It wasn’t just Maharashtra that saw a failed attempt to launch seaplanes.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sardar Patel statue in Kevadia on Sadhu Bet Island, taking off on a SpiceJet seaplane from Sabarmati Riverfront, the first seaplane tourist destination and route was introduced in 2020.
After 186 flights, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The Rs 19.50 crore project sank under the pressure of high costs and lack of takers post Covid.
This time around, the civil aviation ministry released specific guidelines for seaplanes late last year. This is the first serious attempt to advance a sector that has been slow to take off, but now its time seems to have arrived.
In Maharashtra, the MTDC’s study found that around 50,000 to 70,000 passengers are expected to fly annually. It is not clear by when. Incentives include a full reimbursement of investment over five years or a revenue guarantee for three years.
Project costs are estimated between Rs 466 crore to Rs 490 crore, with ticket prices projected to be around Rs 4,000 per passenger.
Leveraging existing infrastructure like helipads and certified waterbodies, MTDC's project will link eight strategic, commercially viable routes with scenic destinations Ganpatipule, Koyna Dam, Ujani Dam, and Mandwa — each connecting to Mumbai and Pune.
Faster travel time will make weekend getaways more feasible for leisure travel visitors and attract senior-level corporate meetings.
The civil aviation ministry held several seaplane demonstration flights of DeHavilland DHC-6 Series 400 Amphibian aircraft in late 2024, along with Spice Shuttle logistics support in Munnar, Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Guwahati, and Andhra Pradesh from Vijayawada to Srisailam.
“Seaplanes can be a true game-changer for India, where diverse geographies—coastlines, islands, and riverine regions—often present infrastructure challenges. With seaplanes, we can transcend these barriers,” said Avani Singh, CEO Spice Shuttle, in a statement.
Attending one such demo in Umiam Lake in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district India’s civil aviation minister had said, “Meghalaya’s breathtaking landscape with seaplane connectivity can attract tourists not just from India but (globally),….”
Should the project take off, other Northeastern states could follow Meghalaya’s initiative.
Challenges Remain
Efforts to incorporate seaplanes into the aviation sector face complex regulatory challenges, impacting widespread implementation.
Bureaucratic approvals persist as licensing of water aerodromes remains a hindrance. The operational framework is unclear, and more defined guidelines are needed for route approvals.
The civil aviation ministry defines a ‘Water Aerodrome’ as a designated area for the landing and take-off of seaplanes, where operations can be conducted in accordance with DGCA regulations and applicable law.
Unfortunately, mindsets still equate smaller planes to large commercial aircraft.
A primary challenge is the cost associated with security requirements, including equipment and personnel such as X-ray scanners, surveillance cameras, and speedboats mandated by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to be provided by the state government.
The expense of employing government security officials for the entire day at a water aerodrome with limited flights has previously been found unfeasible by private airports for commercial aviation.
While new Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders can obtain seaplane ratings, training programmes need to be certified and developed. Environmental compliance is a developing area with sustainable aviation regulations at a budding stage.
The 20-minute demo seaplane flight from Kochi to Maattupetty Dam in Munnar in 2024 was a reminder to investors in 2013 who lost money when a project was shelved following a trial flight from Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. Activists and fishermen protested, claiming fishing and livelihoods would be affected. Opposition to seaplanes remains in Kerala.
“Seaplanes will become commercially viable as demand generation and disposable income increase. Presently requirement is limited, but it will come up within the next 5 to 6 years,” Retd. Gp. Capt. RK Bali, managing director at Business Aircraft Operators Association told The Core.
“Seaplane operations will draw inspiration from the success of Udan permitting operations for helicopters in 2019 to further enhance connectivity to remote areas,” added Bali.
Maldives – A Success Story
There are lessons to be learnt from neighbour Maldives, which has the world’s largest seaplane fleet and perhaps most successful operations.
Trans Maldivian Airlines, Manta Air and Maldivian together have a fleet of over 100, with some having ordered more De Havilland Twin Otters, the most used seaplane for transfers between resorts. The Otters with a commonality in fleet also help reduce maintenance costs because of the volumes.
“Maldives has a long history of running seaplanes. While initially it is an intricate business to operate a large fleet of seaplanes, with professional help the Indian industry could go a long way,” said Kundan Kunal, aeronautical engineer at Trans Maldivian Airways.
The company owns 65 Twin Otters and is an advisor to some government projects for seaplanes in Indonesia and the UAE. The Core has learnt talks are on for a merger with Manta Air. This could not be confirmed.
The main objective of seaplanes in the Maldives is to carry high-spending visitors to over 60 luxury resorts that use seaplane transfers, a great nuptial of tourism with aviation.
The system is in place. Seaplane tickets are not booked by guests but by the resorts directly and charged to hotel bookings. Seaplanes are also used by hotels to transfer personnel, for medical emergencies and to pick up supplies.
All seaplanes in the Maldives take off from Velana International Airport’s $55 million Noovilu Seaplane Terminal on reclaimed 3.5 hectares of land built by the Chinese.
With no poaching on destinations and clients, revenues are aplenty. Departure and arrival times are based on the number and destination of passengers who arrive and depart on the day.
From the time a guest arrives for transfer to the seaplane, the 6-storey terminal provides lounges for premium guests, with the process smooth and hassle-free. An approximate 40-minute flight to resorts is generally on a pontoon to avoid noise emission, and guests are taken on a speedboat to their luxurious location.
Seaplane services are both effective and essential for resorts located away from Malé. “They offer a scenic, seamless transfer that sets the tone for the guest’s stay,” Peter Nilsson, managing director, Como Hotels & Resorts, Maldives, told The Core in an exclusive interview at the Maalifushi island.
“Hotels need seaplane support, which includes reliability, punctual scheduling, and flexibility. These services are critical in ensuring smooth arrivals and maintaining the brand experience from the moment the guest lands, he added.
As long-haul travel to the Maldives increases, some seaplane operators have started to lease aircraft to hotels, often featuring customised branding.
“Branding is a key driver, as it allows hotels to extend their identity into the guest’s journey from the airport. This helps create a more consistent, elevated, and immersive experience right from arrival,” said Nilsson.
