SpiceJet to Launch Seaplane Services Connecting Hyderabad, Lakshadweep, and Guwahati
SpiceJet is preparing to introduce seaplane services in India next year, aiming to connect remote and scenic destinations such as Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong. The airline has secured rights for 20 routes and is collaborating with officials to develop the necessary infrastructure. Earlier, SpiceJet conducted a successful seaplane trial between Vijayawada’s Prakasam Barrage and the Srisailam Dam, garnering support from key figures like Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.
Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed gratitude for the backing from government officials, calling the seaplane initiative a unique solution for connecting challenging landscapes across India’s coastlines, islands, and river systems. Avani Singh, CEO of Spice Shuttle, noted that seaplanes could provide a game-changing mode of transportation, especially for areas where road and rail infrastructure is limited.
In addition to its seaplane plans, SpiceJet is expanding its domestic network. Starting November 15, it will launch eight new flights connecting Jaipur to Varanasi, Amritsar, and Ahmedabad, as well as Ahmedabad to Pune. Through the UDAN scheme, the airline is also launching flights linking Shivamogga in Karnataka to Chennai and Hyderabad and adding double daily flights between Chennai and Kochi. These routes will utilize SpiceJet’s 78-seater Q400 aircraft, helping boost connectivity to both regional and metropolitan centers.
However, SpiceJet faces ongoing financial challenges. Its share of the domestic market dropped from 7.3% in January 2023 to 2.3% in August, and the airline reported a 19.65% decline in consolidated profits for the April-June quarter, totaling Rs 158.75 crore compared to Rs 197.58 crore during the same period last year. Despite these hurdles, SpiceJet’s innovative seaplane services could strengthen its position in India’s competitive aviation landscape.
