New Delhi. On the lines of Maldives, the central government has prepared guidelines to promote seaplane service in the country. In this, non-scheduled operators will also be able to start this service. In the new guidelines, the license and NOC process required to start seaplane service has been simplified. Its purpose is to promote seaplane service under aviation service.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said at a program in Delhi that Maldives is providing 108 sea plane services in its country. There is scope for this in India as well. Our country has thousands of kilometers of sea area where sea plane service can be started on a large scale. He said that the government wants sea planes to be made in the country and MROs should also be opened here for their maintenance.
The Union Minister said that some states including Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have shown interest in starting seaplane service. Demo flight of seaplane will start from Vijayawada on October 1. DGCA has prepared guidelines for this. Waterdrome license will not be required in this. He also said that with some necessary requirements, CPL holders will now be able to directly get seaplane rating. Which will allow them to fly seaplanes.
On 31 October 2020, PM Modi started the sea-plane service in the country. It was from Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. It was also started in Andaman and Nicobar but it did not last long. After this, the central government is planning to start it on a large scale. Under this, these services will be started on more than 100 routes in three years. Along with this, the government is planning to set up airfields in water areas at 18 places in Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Goa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.