Following the Maldives model, Union aviation ministry plans to promote seaplane services in favourite tourist hubs,Goa and Kerala
Following the Maldives model, Union aviation ministry plans to promote seaplane services in favourite tourist hubs, Goa and Kerala
It seems sky is not the limit for Indian aviation industry as it's getting eager to expand its wings to the high seas now. After introducing the first Indian seaplane in Andaman Islands in December 2010, the aviation industry is gearing up to extend its services to Goa and Kerala. "We are reviewing the services of seaplane at Andaman. We want to introduce the services in Goa and Kerala in the coming months," said an top Pawan Hans official Elaborating on the seaplane business, the official added, "This industry has a good future in India and we need a better cooperation from the states too. 
Roaring to go: The seaplane inaugurated by then aviation minister
Praful Patel in December, 2010. file Pic
We want to follow the model of Maldives where seaplane service has emerged as the biggest mode of transportation. Seaplane could come handy in emergency situations such as natural calamities to rescue people from the marooned areas." Former joint director general of DGCA and presently consultant to civil aviation ministry R P Sahi said, "Apart from joy rides and tourism, seaplanes also can be used to rescue people in emergency situations. We recently organised a seminar on the feasibility of the project in the country and got
some good response from Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshwadeep.
"The states showed great interest in the project. It should not be felt that the aviation ministry is installing the services at different places for its own benefit. It is in the interest of the different states and seaplane industry, which will promote the seaplane services in the coming days." Sahi, who is associated with the core team exploring the future of seaplane in the country, added, "Sea planes can move much faster than any other ferry boats. I can only say that it has a very bright future in our country."
Hundred seaplanes
On April 22, Civil Aviation Ministry and Pawan Hans Heliciopter Limited organised a seminar to promote the operation of seaplane in India in which the seaplane manufacturers, state representatives, hoteliers and tour operators participated. Speaking on the occasion the civil aviation secretary Naseem Zaidi said that the target is to acquire 100 seaplanes in next ten years. "Global studies estimate the international market in next one decade to be 1,000 units. I think 10 per cent of that must come to India, that is our target," said Zaidi
From the past
*Seaplanes are not very new for the people of Indian coral islands. The Japanese occupation forces had used seaplanes in the Andamans for sometime during the World War II, till the Allied Forces had introduced a full blockade of the islands. But those were only the seaplanes used for the purpose of warfare and not for civilians.
*The first manned and controlled seaplane service was established by French aircraft designer, builder and pilot Gabriel Voisin in June 1905, on the river Seine (Paris), it was a towed flight.
*Existing Seaplane service: Because of the lack of runways and the perceived safety factor over waters, many commercial airlines, including Imperial Airways and Pan-American World Airways, used large seaplanes to provide service for long distance service across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Seaplane service
The first ever sea plane service in India called Jal Hans was inaugurated by then Civil aviation minister Praful Patel in December 2010 at the Pawan Hans Mumbai. Jal Hans is a subsidiary of Pawan Hans Helicopters.
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