Seaplane from Maldives lands successfully at Kochi on way to Gujarat

A seaplane that took off from Male in the Maldives made a successful landing inside Venduruthy channel at Kochi on Sunday on a technical halt.

"A Twin Otter 300 seaplane of M/s Spicejet Technic took off from Male, Maldives and made a successful landing inside Venduruthy channel at Kochi on 25 Oct 20 for a technical halt. The seaplane is 19-seater, which will be able to accommodate 12 passengers," read the press release from Southern Naval Command.

The press release said, "The seaplane was provided assistance with berthing facility at Naval jetty and refuelling for their onward journey. The seaplane is scheduled to fly to Ahmedabad where it will commence flying as a part of regional connectivity scheme between Sabarmati riverfront and Statue of Unity".

"Seaplanes are a natural choice of connectivity between mainland and Lakshadweep islands and inland water channels at Kochi and sheltered lagoons in the islands offer ideal space for the seaplanes to land and take-off," the release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the Seaplane service in Gujarat on October 31 - the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. It will be the first-ever seaplane to fly from Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia Colony in the Narmada district.

The seaplane can accommodate 12 passengers and will be managed by the private airline SpiceJet.

According to government officials, there will be four flights a day between Ahmedabad and Kevadia on each side — which means four arrivals and four departures. The ticket price per person will be about Rs 4,800.

Travel time between Ahmedabad and Kevadia is currently four hours but the seaplane is expected to cover the journey in about one hour.

Source : DNA India