The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to SkyHop Aviation, as the company prepares to commence India's first commercial seaplane operations.
SkyHop, in its first phase plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and with the mainland. Operations will begin with a 19-seater aircraft. The airline is also evaluating routes in other parts of the country where such connectivity can make a difference, SkyHop said in a release on Monday, April 27.
The certificate was issued after a series of successful test flights conducted earlier this month, including water take-offs and landings at the Ganga Barrage and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand.
SkyHop Aviation has been developed as first dedicated commercial seaplane operator in India, with the goal to improve access to regions where conventional airport infrastructure is either limited or difficult to develop, the company said. The airline aims to unlock new routes, reduce travel time, and boost regional accessibility across the country, it added.
ALSO READ: Centre Unveils Big Air Travel Reforms: 60% Free Seats, Flight Delay Compensation And More
Speaking on the clearance, Avani Singh, Founder and CEO, SkyHop Aviation, said, “Receiving the AOC is an important milestone for us and the result of consistent effort over the past year. Building SkyHop from the ground up has been a learning experience, and this certification gives us the foundation to move ahead with confidence.”
She added, “We are grateful to Hon'ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Hon'ble Secretary, Civil Aviation Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, and Hon'ble Director General of DGCA Shri Vir Vikram Yadav for their guidance and support throughout this process. We look forward to continuing to work closely with them as we prepare to commence operations."
Skyhop aims "to offer a safe, reliable and new way of connecting parts of India that are still difficult to access. We hope to deliver an experience that is both practical and memorable for travellers, while contributing in a small but meaningful way to regional access and national integration," Singh said.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
