**Summary:**
This document summarizes the current status of seaplane services in India as of July 31, 2025, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1946. According to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, seaplane operations were introduced under the Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik 3.0 (RCS-UDAN 3.0). To date, 32 seaplane routes have been awarded, connecting 25 water aerodromes across Gujarat, Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Lakshadweep. Under UDAN 5.5, Letters of Intent (LoI) have been issued to airline operators for routes connecting water bodies in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As of June 30, 2025, there are no operational seaplane routes and consequently, no passengers have travelled via seaplane service. Furthermore, there are currently no seaplane operators providing this service in the country.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
Smt. Mala Roy: Member of Parliament who posed the question regarding seaplane services.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the question.
Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik 3.0 RCS-UDAN 3.0: A government initiative to enhance air connectivity to remote and regional areas, including seaplane operations.
UDAN 5.5: A phase of the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme focused on enhancing air connectivity.
Gujarat: A state in India where seaplane routes and water aerodromes are planned under the UDAN scheme.
Assam: A state in India where seaplane routes and water aerodromes are planned under the UDAN scheme.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where seaplane routes and water aerodromes are planned under the UDAN scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1946
st
(To be answered on the 31 July 2025)
SEAPLANE SERVICE
1946. SMT MALA ROY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the current status of seaplane service in the country;
(b) the number of seaplane routes currently operational as on date;
(c) the number of passengers travelled through seaplane till 30.06.2025; and
(d) the total number of seaplane operators operating this service in the country?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced seaplane operations from water
aerodromes under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik
3.0 (RCS-UDAN 3.0). During various rounds of bidding, 32 valid seaplane routes
have been awarded, connecting 25 water aerodromes in the States/UTs of Gujarat,
Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa,
Himachal Pradesh, and Lakshadweep for seaplane operations.
Under UDAN 5.5 Letters of Intent (LoI) have been issued to the airline operators
for bids connecting the water-bodies in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and
the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar islands.
(b) to (d): Currently, there are no operational seaplane routes.
*****