Following the easing of guidelines for seaplane operations, regional airline flybig plans to commence services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Speaking to FE, flybig’s CMD, Saanjay Mandavia, said that the planned operations will be the first seaplane flights to any from Car Nicobar Airport and Campbell Bay Airport.
The regional airline plans to deploy De Havilland Canada Twin Otter aircraft on these routes.
“Will potentially start by the end of the year or early next year depending on approvals and arrival of our first aircraft,” he told FE.
The airline’s first Twin Otter aircraft is slated to join the fleet by the end of October.
“flybig has recently concluded an agreement with the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which will enable us to make this strategic move,” Mandavia told FE.
According to Mandavia, the De Havilland Canada Twin Otter aircraft, are “perfectly suited” for operations in the islands.
This type of aircraft, he said, is capable of landing on both water and land and will enable flybig to connect remote regions and promote tourism in the archipelago.
In August, the ministry of civil aviation launched Guidelines for Seaplane Operations under the regional connectivity scheme Udan.
Several firms, including SpiceJet, Mehair, and Heritage Aviation, along with global OEMs, have shown interest in this emerging sector.