Lakshadweep gets closer, seaplane service from Kochi all set for launch; Fares, timings to be announced soon

Within a few days, those planning to head to Lakshadweep can fly to the islands, experiencing something new - a seaplane service. India's first commercial seaplane service, from Kochi to Lakshadweep, will be launched soon. 

All preparations have been completed by the operating company, Sky Hope, and the only pending decision concerns the inauguration date. It is reported that the seaplane, which has successfully completed its test flight, will take off with its first passengers next week. A Canadian-made ‘Viking DHc–6–400 Twin Otter’ aircraft is being used for the service.

How many people can go at a time
The Twin Otter has powerful twin engines. The 400 series is the latest version of this aircraft. It is a Short Take-Off Landing (STOL) utility aircraft that requires a short runway for take-off and landing. It can carry up to 20 people, including two pilots and one cabin crew. It is an amphibious aircraft capable of taking off and landing on both land and water. Its maximum speed is 337 kilometres per hour.

The Kochi–Lakshadweep seaplane will not have a toilet or in-flight meal service, unlike other aircraft. This is because the maximum flight duration is 1.20 hours, so these facilities have been omitted.

It is a matter of pride for Malayalis that Captain Arun Gop, a native of Kottayam and the only person in India with a license to fly amphibious aircraft, is one of the two pilots of the seaplane. The second pilot is Mintesh Prasad from Fiji.

Air connectivity to 5 islands
From Kochi International Airport, the first flight will be to Kalpeni. Following that, it will be to the island capital, Kavaratti. It will then reach Agatti, Kadmat and Kiltan. The company has not disclosed any information regarding travel expenses.

The Lakshadweep seaplane services have been included in the 'UDAN' scheme implemented by the central government to promote budget air travel and develop regional airports. Therefore, it is expected that travel will be possible for less than ₹6,000.

Lakshadweep fully ready
Water runways are fully equipped on all the islands that will be connected by seaplane service in the first phase of Lakshadweep. These landing areas are prepared in coastal waters after evaluating factors such as vessel presence, wind direction, and marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Passenger terminals and docking bays have also been prepared on the islands.

First landing on the Ganges
Seaplanes are assisted in taking off and landing on water by floats. Attaching these is a complex process. Amphibious aircraft also need wheels that retract downward for landing on runways. The floats were attached by experts from Fiji after the seaplane was brought to Dehradun Airport in Uttarakhand. US company Wipaire manufactured the floats. This is the first time in the country's history that floats have been brought to India and fitted to an aircraft. To test the performance of the floats, the aircraft that took off from Dehradun Airport made its first landing on the holy river Ganges.

Weather challenges
The unpredictable weather changes in Lakshadweep pose a challenge even for aircraft landing at Agatti, the only airport. Since the sea surrounds the airstrip on all four sides, rain and strong winds will affect aircraft landings and take-offs. Weather changes will affect the seaplane's takeoffs and landings on the water even more. However, seaplane pilots worldwide follow 'Visual Flight Rules', a method for assessing weather changes in real time and making decisions. While the sea is rough on one side of the islands, the other side is often calm. For this reason, in many countries where seaplane services connect islands, water dromes are prepared on both sides of the island for aircraft to land. Currently, Lakshadweep has a water drome on only one side. Once water domes are prepared on both sides, future weather variations will not significantly affect services. Moreover, the island's weather, which can suddenly become rough, also calms down quickly. Therefore, pilots can make multiple attempts to land at water dromes with short intervals between attempts.

No night travel
Seaplane service will be available only during the day. This is because night landings and take-offs from the sea are not permitted for safety reasons. The arrangement is such that the aircraft will depart from Kochi International Airport in the morning, land on the islands, and return by evening. Operations from the sea are permitted only for 15 minutes before sunset (twilight hours). Landing in Kochi is possible at night as well.