MTDC and Mehair launched seaplane service

March 3, 2014

The Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) jointly with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) launched the India’s first seaplane service from mainland at Mumbai, through which tourists will be taken by two Amphibian aircraft to tourist spots like water bodies where there are no runways. The first service will take off on March 10, 2014 from Mumbai to AambyValleyCity. 
About India’s first seaplane service

  • First of its kind in mainland India that will link Mumbai’s Juhu airport with tourist destinations of the state.
  • Will be launched with a Cessna 206 Amphibian aircraft. Another Cessna 208 will be inducted into service by April, 2014. Both these models can accommodate 4 to 9 passengers.
  • First phase: MEHAIR will roll out its service to destinations viz. AmbayValley lake, Gangapur Dam (Nashik), Mula Dam (Meherabad/Shirdi), Pawna Dam (Lonavla), Varasgaon Dam (Lavasa) and Dhoom Dam (Panchgani /Mahabaleshwar).
  • Second phase:  MEHAIR will connect Mumbai with Konkan coast viz. Ganpatipule, Harihareshwar, Tarkarli and Murud Janjira.
  • MEHAIR has plans to roll out 25 seaplanes over the next five years operating in most of the major states of the country. 

What are Sea-planes?

  • Sea-planes are small aircrafts that can touch down on land as well as on water, and do not require capital-intensive infrastructure for operations.
  • Thus, they are considered ideal for high-end travel to destinations that are far by road and are not equipped with airports.
  • They require either a 1-km long airstrip or a water body, which is one km long and at least 10 feet deep.

Note: In 2011, Mehair pioneered the launch of seaplane in India, the service has been operational in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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1 Comment

  1. Priyan

    March 30, 2014 at 5:42 am

    This is indeed a move which is likely to boost tourism, especially in coastal areas. With many of the water bodies being a popular tourist destination and not connected by air, they offer a good business potential for Maharashtra! And i believe this will be launched between Mumbai and Aamby Valley? What could be better! This entire region is the “heaven of Maharashtra”, and has always been the hot cake for the international tourists. A great step by MTDC! Hope to try it out soon. Cheers!

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