SpiceJet has begun seaplane services Ahmedabad (Sabarmati riverfront) and the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. SpiceJet’s fully-owned subsidiary, Spice Shuttle, is operating these flights.
Initially, SpiceJet is operating two daily flights on the Ahmedabad-Kevadia route
For these operations, the airline is using a 15-seater Twin Otter 300 aircraft. Under the UDAN scheme, this one-way fare will begin from INR 1,500. Passengers can book tickets on the spice shuttle website.
Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “Our seaplane service between the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and Statue of Unity in Kevadia will cut down travel time to just about half an hour. Infrastructural challenges have been a key deterrent for providing air connectivity to smaller towns and cities. With the ability to land on a small water body, seaplanes are the perfect flying machines that can effectively connect the remotest parts of India into the mainstream aviation network without the high cost of building airports and runways.”
“After building a network of flights under UDAN, SpiceJet’s new seaplane service will introduce a whole new chapter for the country’s regional connectivity,” he added.
Till now, SpiceJet has acquired 18 seaplane routes under the UDAN scheme. These include – Ahmedabad-Kevadia (Sabarmati River Front to Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar), Agatti-Minicoy, Agatti-Kavaratti, etc.
Also Read: MbPT To Begin Water Taxis From South Mumbai To Navi Mumbai