In April 2026, SkyHop Aviation Private Limited, received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), enabling it to launch India’s first commercial seaplane services, with initial operations planned in Union Territory (UT) Lakshadweep.
- The approval, following an earlier No Objection Certificate (NOC) from MoCA, enables commercial operations to boost last-mile connectivity, reduce travel time, promote tourism, and improve access to remote areas..
About SkyHop Seaplane Operations:
Aircraft: The 19-seater De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter has been indigenously converted into a seaplane with float attachments, enabling operations on water and short runways.
Operations: Initial phase in Lakshadweep connects five islands with mainland India via seaplane docks at Agatti, Kiltan, and Kavaratti along with prior certification through successful water take-off and landing trials at Ganga Barrage (Rishikesh) and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand.
Seaplanes: Aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water using floats or hulls, making them suitable for remote, coastal, and island regions without airport infrastructure.
Scheme: Aligned with UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), launched in 2016 by MoCA, it aims to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable for the common citizen.
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