SpiceJet says to relaunch seaplane operations next year, BA

After a very short stint two years back, SpiceJet will launch seaplane operations in India again in 2025. The airline had a charter operation of seaplane in Gujarat for a very short period in 2022 but at that time it could not sustain the same. Now with the recent fund infusion of INR 3,000 crore, the airline says its second stint with seaplanes will be different. Airline CMD Ajay Singh’s daughter Avani Singh is heading the seaplane project.

With rights to operate seaplane services on 20 routes, including Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong, the airline is preparing to roll out connectivity across key routes as the infrastructure becomes ready, SpiceJet said in a statement. It has partnered in seaplane trials across multiple locations with De Havilland.

SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh made this announcement on Saturday during a demonstration seaplane flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam Dam. Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu were at the demonstration event.

Ajay Singh said: “Seaplanes have the potential to transform India’s regional connectivity, opening up access to some of the most stunning, yet remote, parts of the country…. we are taking concrete steps to bring seaplane operations to life in India once again.”

Avani Singh, Spice Shuttle CEO, said: “Our journey in regional connectivity has been a purposeful one, rooted in the belief that everyone, no matter how remote, deserves access to affordable and efficient air travel, and today, we are excited to be at the forefront of seaplane operations in India.” ”Seaplanes can be a true game-changer for a country like ours, where diverse geographies—coastlines, islands, and riverine regions—often present infrastructure challenges. With seaplanes, we can transcend these barriers and bring the joy and benefits of connectivity to coastal areas, islands, and remote inland destinations,” Avani, an MBA from Wharton and an alumna of Stanford University, said.

SpiceJet had in Oct 2020 chartered a seaplane to fly between Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. This service did not last long as the airline was facing a financial crunch then.