試す 金 - 無料
India looks at promoting seaplanes to boost air connectivity
The Straits Times
|December 03, 2024
Its geography is ideal for such flights, but there is uncertainty over financial viability
NEW DELHI - Migratory birds from distant places are a common sight at India's water bodies as winter sets in.
But in 2024, they had company: a grey, amphibious seaplane that conducted multiple demonstration flights as the country explores the potential of this transport solution to boost connectivity with far-flung areas.
India has a geography that is ideal for such flights. It has a coastline that is 7,517km long, outlying archipelagoes and an extensive network of inland water bodies such as rivers and lakes.
But uncertainty over financial viability may put a spanner in the works of ambitious plans for India to have an operational seaplane service.
A total of 27 seaplane demonstration flights were held from Nov 9 to 17 in various locations across the country, including in the states of Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Kerala.
The flights were organised by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) - a Canadian aircraft manufacturer that deployed one of its DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft - with support from various authorities, including state governments and India's Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Speaking at one such trial on Nov 14, at Umiam Lake in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, Indian Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the government is keen to promote the seaplane industry, which would "unlock economic potential, boost tourism and connect communities across India like never before".
Should the plans for seaplane services take off, connectivity to and within archipelagoes such as Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal - where demonstration flights were also held successfully - would get a boost.
But several other locations in India could also benefit.
このストーリーは、The Straits Times の December 03, 2024 版からのものです。
Magzter GOLD を購読すると、厳選された何千ものプレミアム記事や、10,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスできます。
すでに購読者ですか? サインイン
The Straits Times からのその他のストーリー
The Straits Times
Thousands brave the cold to protest against ICE crackdown in Minneapolis
V-P Vance defends agents’ detention of migrant boy whose dad rar’ from them
3 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Confront criticism and learn from it
Nearly one year into the job at South-east Asia's largest bank, DBS CEO Tan Su Shan tells Sumiko Tan how life has changed and reflects on her leadership style and the mantra she lives by.
10 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Is travelling with kids and parents still a holiday?
Intergenerational family trips can be testing. But for the writer, the rewards make it worth it.
5 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Karachi mall inferno: Years of fire safety warnings were ignored
Mr Muhammad Imran did not take the fire seriously at first, thinking it was another small spark at the Karachi mall that would be quickly extinguished by fellow shop owners.
4 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Excessive device use often a coping mechanism for deeper issues, say experts
They say it cannot be treated on its own, and it is important to find the root cause
4 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Downtown Core: Shaping up to be a place to live, work, play in
Huge investments to redevelop area into business centre and upscale residential hub
5 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
A slice of joy: The life and legacy of Auntie Jessie's sugee cake
At every milestone in the writer's life, and sometimes for no reason at all, this cake has been the one, unwavering constant.
4 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Air France, KLM halt Dubai, Riyadh flights over geopolitical risks
Air France and KLM paused flights to and over several countries in the Middle East amid tensions between the US and Iran that could reverberate across the Persian Gulf.
1 min
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
Hotelier's home library has travelled with him across eight countries
Who: Karl Hudson, 63, was appointed general manager of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach in September 2025.
3 mins
January 25, 2026
The Straits Times
The real winner behind Myanmar's junta-held elections could be China
Greater stability post-election will safeguard Beijing's infrastructure investments and external supply of rare earths
8 mins
January 25, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size

