Sea plane service launched in India

Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel at the launch of an amphibian seaplane ‘Cessna 208A’ in Mumbai on Monday.

In a boost to coastal tourism, Mr. Patel launched the first seaplane service in the country at the Juhu aerodrome and named it ‘Jal Hans’. The amphibian plane will run in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Cessna 208A seaplane is a Canada – made, which has a seating capacity of eight passengers and two pilots. It can travel up to 250 km an hour and can land on most calm waters as well as on land.

The service is a joint venture formed between Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) and the Andaman and Nicobar administration on an equal profit-sharing basis.