naidu-announces-revival-of-seaplane-operations-across-india

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday announced that seaplane operations will restart on at least two routes in India by October, signalling a major expansion in regional air connectivity.

 

Speaking at the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference in Bhubaneswar, Naidu said the government has simplified guidelines to facilitate seaplane operations. “Seaplane operation was there once, but it was limited to a single route. The government has simplified the guidelines to operate seaplanes, and we hope that by October, we will have two seaplanes in the country operating either on the Andaman & Nicobar, Kerala, or Andhra Pradesh network," he added.

 

The Minister further indicated that the service could extend to Odisha’s Chilika Lake and other locations along the eastern coast. “The service can be started on any water body where you have more than five feet depth and 200 metres of landing space," he said.

Also read: Seaplane makes maiden landing on Assam's Brahmaputra

 

Naidu also highlighted the simplification of norms for establishing waterdromes, pilot training, and operational regulations. He urged airline operators to explore the opportunity. “There is huge potential for seaplane services, which is being missed out today,” he said, adding that states should come forward with innovative ideas and locations to expand the network.

 

On the topic of pilot training, Naidu noted the growing demand for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs). “Right now, 1,700 planes are on order. Each aircraft requires 20 to 30 pilots. Every year, we must generate 3,000 pilots to meet the demand in India alone," he said, emphasising the need for FTOs of international standard.

 

“To achieve this, the Ministry will start a ranking system for FTOs operating in India from October,” the Minister announced.

 

The conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in the presence of Naidu, MoS Civil Aviation Mohol Murlidhar, Chhattisgarh Minister Om Prakash Choudhary, and senior officers from the civil aviation ministry and eastern states.