Last update:November 09, 2024, 2:25 p.m. IST

New seaplane routes to revolutionize regional connectivity, connecting remote and iconic destinations across India.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu (left) with SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh (centre) and Spice Shuttle CEO Avani Singh.

SpiceJet on Saturday announced plans to launch seaplane operations in 2025, across 20 routes, including Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Shillong. The airline has partnered with seaplane trials at multiple locations, providing crucial engineering, technical and logistical support to De Havilland.

The announcement was made on Saturday by SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh during a seaplane flight demonstration from Prakasam Dam in Vijayawada to Srisailam Dam in the presence of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, and Civil Aviation Minister, K Rammohan Naidu.

“SpiceJet has partnered with seaplane trials at multiple locations, providing crucial engineering, technical and logistical support to De Havilland,” it said in a statement.

With the right to operate seaplane services on 20 routes including Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Shillong, the airline is gearing up to roll out connectivity on key routes as the infrastructure is ready, it said. he added.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said: “Seaplanes have the potential to transform India’s regional connectivity, opening access to some of the country’s most stunning, yet remote, regions. . SpiceJet has always dared to dream big and with the support of visionary leaders like Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu, we are taking concrete steps to revive seaplane operations in India.

SpiceJet is delighted to help drive this initiative forward, working closely with the government and civil aviation authorities to ensure that these services become a reality and a success, Singh added.

Avani Singh, CEO, Spice Shuttle, said: “Our journey towards regional connectivity has been a successful one, rooted in the belief that everyone, no matter how remote, deserves access to affordable and efficient air travel, and today Today, we are delighted to be at the forefront of seaplane operations in India.

Seaplanes can be a real game-changer for a country like ours, where geographic diversity (coastlines, islands and river regions) often presents infrastructure challenges. With seaplanes, we can transcend these barriers and bring the joy and benefits of connectivity to coastal areas, islands and remote inland destinations, she said.

Avani, who previously headed SpiceHealth, now heads SpiceJet’s seaplane project after completing his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She is also an alumna of Stanford University.

SpiceJet pioneered India’s first scheduled seaplane service in October 2020, connecting the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. Despite being suspended due to COVID-19, the airline is once again ready to lead this ambitious project, echoing its commitment to inclusive growth under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam) program Nagrik).

SpiceJet is the only major Indian private airline to regularly collaborate with UDAN since its inception.

Shares of SpiceJet on Friday fell 2.52 per cent to close at Rs 59.69 apiece on the BSE.