Andaman & Nicobar Administration Plans to Launch Seaplane Service

The Andaman and Nicobar administration, in collaboration with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India (AAI), is working to establish seaplane connectivity between Port Blair and several islands in the archipelago to boost tourism.

The proposed seaplane services will link Port Blair with Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island), and Long Island (North and Middle Andaman), said Vishwendra, the Secretary of Civil Aviation for the region.

A technical demonstration of the seaplane service was conducted on Sunday by De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada. The demonstration flight took off from the Helipad and flew to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), returning to Port Blair's Marina Water Sports Complex at Sri Vijaya Puram.

The seaplane used for the demonstration was a De Havilland Twin Otter, which is capable of both land and water takeoffs and landings. It has a seating capacity for 16 passengers, according to Jatinder Sohal, Director of Civil Aviation for the Andaman and Nicobar administration.

ET