Kochi: The much-awaited Kochi-Lakshadweep seaplane service will be inaugurated on July 19, with regular commercial operations commencing from July 20. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will inaugurate the service after the successful completion of trial flights.
The seaplane service is aimed at improving connectivity to Lakshadweep and boosting tourism. It will be India’s only commercial seaplane service and will operate using the Canadian-built Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter, an amphibious aircraft capable of taking off and landing on both land and water. The aircraft can carry 20 people, including two pilots and one cabin crew member.
Trial flights were conducted connecting Agatti, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti and Kiltan islands. The journey from Kochi to Lakshadweep is expected to take about 45 to 50 minutes. Operator SkyHopp has also received approval to operate seaplane services from Kochi to Kumarakom.
One of the two pilots is Arun Gop, a native of Kottayam, who is the only Indian licensed to operate amphibious aircraft. Trained in Miami, USA, he has logged over 6,500 hours of seaplane flying experience across several countries.
