The national airline, Maldivian, has stated the demand for seaplane services in India was notably high as the country commenced seaplane operations for the first time.
Seaplane operations were officially launched in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31. Seaplane operations commenced in India with the assistance of captains and crew of Maldivian. A chartered seaplane of Maldivian departed to India on October 25 to commence the operations in India. The team returned to the Maldives last week.
Speaking to PSM News, Pilot-in-command of the chartered Maldivian seaplane, Fazloon Hameed, said the demand for seaplane services in India was high. As such, he said two daily flights were operated in the designated route at the beginning of the operations. He noted their stay in India was extended upon the request of the operating airline SpiceJet, due to the high demand for the service.
Fazloon said it was an honour to operate a seaplane outside of the Maldives under his command. He also highlighted the confidence and trust placed by India in the seaplane operations of Maldivian.
Maldives has the largest seaplane fleet in the region, with 3 companies operating seaplanes in the country. As such, Maldivian, Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) and Manta Air operate seaplanes in the Maldives.