SpiceJet Conducting Trials In Conjunction With Japanese Firm

Seaplane service connecting Mumbai with smaller cities could return to western India under a program being explored by low-cost carrier SpiceJet and Japan's Setouchi Holdings.

Last week the two companies ran seaplane trials at Mumbai's Girgaum Chowpatty. The goal is to provide connectivity with cities where there is no airport, but water landings are possible.

But the establishment of such service is not a foregone conclusion. NDTV reports that SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh said the airline would not undertake an unprofitable venture. "We feel there are tremendous possibilities with these aircraft, there are so many airports which are completely constrained," he said. "For cities where there are no airports at all, there are tremendous possibilities of providing connectivity."

Under the business plan that is still being finalized, SpiceJet would introduce about 100 small amphibious aircraft to feed into its existing network from remote areas.

The Indian government is optimistic about the idea, and said that SpiceJet would not have exclusive rights to seaplane service. "We will formulate a policy for this in three months," said Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari. "It has been a dream that I have nurtured. Conversion of 111 rivers into waterways and the availability of lakhs of lakes and dams which can be converted into airports with minimal expenditure on small floating jetties."

A seaplane service was established for the tourist trade in 2014, but it did not attract enough passengers to be profitable. This time, government officials say that any policy will be crafted to be economically viable.

FMI: Original Report