The Civil Aviation Ministry has approved a proposal for setting up of water aerodrome in Chilika lake in Odisha, Sardar Sarovar Dam and Sabarmati River Front in Gujarat being identified in the first phase for the development of such facilities.
‘In-principle approval has been given for the construction of Water Aerodromes in various states across the country. This move will promote tourism as well as connect places of religious importance,’ Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted.
To start with, we have identified 5 states viz. Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh & Assam for the development of Water Aerodromes. For the first phase of the project, Chilka Lake (Odisha), Sabarmati River Front & Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat) have been identified. (2/n)
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 11, 2018
‘DGCA has already issued regulations prescribing the procedure and requirement for licensing of Water Aerodromes. Since there is no historical data on market and also the demand from any airlines, the Project will be done as a pilot project,’ he further added.
DGCA has already issued regulations prescribing the procedure and requirement for
licensing of Water Aerodromes. Since there is no historical data on market and also the demand from any airlines, the Project will be done as a pilot project. (3/n)— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 11, 2018
The formal application for setting up a water aerodrome has to be submitted at least 90 days before the date of intended operations. Under the aviation regulations, an aerodrome cannot be used for scheduled air transport services, among others, unless there is a licence.
Seaplanes gained popularity in India after PM Modi flew from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati river to Dhabi dam in Mehsana in December 2017.
In October 2017, SpiceJet had unveiled plans to buy over 100 amphibian planes, estimated to cost USD 400 million. The airline had also signed a MoU with Japan’s Setouchi Holdings, which makes these small planes, to explore whether the amphibian planes can be used by the airline in a cost-effective manner.