India’s first seaplane service launched in Gujarat: All you need to know

Team Udayavani, Oct 31, 2020, 4:10 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first seaplane service in Gujarat on October 31

What are seaplanes?

A seaplane is a fixed-wing aeroplane designed for taking off and landing on water. It offers the speed of an aeroplane with the utility of a boat

The seaplane is operated by SpiceJet. It is a 19-seater seaplane, which will be able to accommodate 14 passengers.

Seaplane service 

The service offers connectivity from the world’s tallest statue, a 182-metre statue of India’s first deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Kevadia colony to Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. The distance will be covered in around 45 minutes.

Ticket price for seaplane service

SpiceJet will be using a 15-seater Twin Otter 300 aircraft for this seaplane service. The Twin Otter 300 can be hired at a cost of Rs 4,800 per person. Passengers can also book tickets while on the plan

There will be four flights a day which will operate between Ahmedabad and Kevadia on each side, which means four arrivals and four departures.

Seaplanes are operational in countries like the Philippines, Canada, Australia, the United States, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Maldives and Hongkong.