In Pics: SpiceJet plans amphibian flights within a year

Ever since Ajay Singh steered SpiceJet from near bankruptcy in 2015, the airline has clocked regular profits and achieved highest loads for 30 months. But Ajay Singh's possible next venture is bound to make a splash. 

SpiceJet aims to start amphibian plane operations in the country within twelve months as it will allow the airline to connect remote locations. 

The initiative has the backing of union shipping minister Nitin Gadkari and civil aviation minister Ashok Gajpathi Raju who were present at Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive to witness the demonstration flight on Saturday.
 

A nine-seater Quest Kodiak aircraft touched down in the sea at around 3 pm after a ten-minute flight from Mumbai airport. Its departure from the airport was however delayed for over an hour and a half because of visibility issues.

Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

This was the aircraft's third demonstration flight after trials in Nagpur and Guwahati.

Amphibian planes can land and take off on both land and water and require short runway length for movement. As such these can land in remote locations.

In September SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding with Setouchi Holdings, a manufacturer of the Kodiak planes. While the airline is yet to firm up its plans and sign definitive contracts, Singh has already indicated he would like to have 100 such planes.

Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

"We would like to start operations within a year," Singh said. The airline is examining potential routes and economics of operations of amphibian planes. Potential destinations include places in Uttar Pradesh, North East states, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra and other states.

 "We will begin operations only if it is commercially viable," he said. Singh refused to divulge whether he will lease planes and said there were innovative financing models available for the aircraft.

Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

 

The potential for amphibian plane remains immense as these can land on the short runway.  With capacity constraint at Mumbai airport, airlines could use such amphibian planes to take off from multiple locations of the city's coast and fly to places like Shirdi, Gadkari said.

But the absence of regulations governing amphibian planes and lack of infrastructure remains a challenge. Previous attempts at running such operations failed because of low demand and poor viability.

Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

Gadkari said regulations for amphibian planes will be put in place in three months and the government was studying rules which are in place in other countries.