To boost tourism, the Andaman and Nicobar administration, in collaboration with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India (AAI), is planning to introduce seaplane connectivity between Port Blair and other islands in the archipelago.
Vishwendra, Secretary of Civil Aviation for the Andaman and Nicobar administration, shared that proposed routes include seaplane services between Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep (formerly Havelock Island), Port Blair and Shaheed Dweep (formerly Neil Island), and Port Blair and Long Island in North and Middle Andaman.
On Sunday, a technical demonstration of the seaplane service was conducted by De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada. The trial route connected the Helipad in Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, with a return service landing at the Marina Water Sports Complex in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
“A technical demonstration of seaplane service was held by De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada on Sunday from Helipad to Havelock Island (now known as Swaraj Dweep) and return service which landed at the Marina Water Sports Complex at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair),” the official said.
The demonstration featured the De Havilland Twin Otter seaplane, a versatile aircraft capable of operating on both land and water. The seaplane can accommodate 16 passengers, according to Jatinder Sohal, Director of Civil Aviation for the Andaman and Nicobar administration.