India’s first sea plane operation was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 31 Oct. 2020 with start of services between Statue of Unity in Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The service is being operated by Spice Shuttle, subsidiary of SpiceJet Airlines.
Under the visionary guidance of Hon’ble PM under the leadership of Shri Vijay Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Gujarat has signed an MoU on 22/07/2020 with Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Govt. of India, and Airports Authority of India to start first-ever “Seaplane Services in Gujarat” to provide seamless and affordable air connectivity from Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad to Statue of Unity, Kevadia which turn out a historical achievement of the State Government. The kind of service is first ever in the Country. The Scheme is being implemented by the terms and conditions of a tripartite agreement between State Government, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Govt. of India, and Airports Authority of India.
In this connection, a high-level meeting was organized on 29th August 2020 at New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar to review the progress of the water aerodrome operation in Gujarat which was chaired by Chief Secretary, Govt. of Gujarat along with the Secretary, Civil Aviation –Govt. of India, Joint Secretary, Civil Aviation- GoI, DOG- DGCA, Concerned officials from Airports Authority of India, Airline Operator (Spicejet), and other Government officials from State Government and Central Government.
The service operated by Spicejet Airline from Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad- Statue of Unity, Kevadia: 04 Flights, a day ( 04 Arrival & 04 Departures. The Ticket price would be around of Rs.4,800/- Per person.
In this connection, a high-level meeting was organized on 29th August 2020 at New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar to review the progress of the water aerodrome operation in Gujarat which was chaired by Chief Secretary, Govt. of Gujarat along with the Secretary, Civil Aviation –Govt. of India, Joint Secretary, Civil Aviation- GoI, DOG- DGCA, Concerned officials from Airports Authority of India, Airline Operator (Spicejet), and other Government officials from State Government and Central Government.
The service is operated by Spicejet Airline from Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad-Statue of Unity, Kevadia: 04 Flights, a day ( 04 Arrival & 04 Departures. The Ticket price would be around of Rs.4,800/- Per person. The inaugural flight will likely happen on 31st October 2021.
On recommendation of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), AAI Multi-Disciplinary team conducted Pre-Feasibility Study for development of Water Aerodrome at three sites namely Sabarmati River Front, Statue of Unity and Shatrunjay Dam identified by Govt. of Gujarat in June 2018. A tripartite MoU has been signed among MoCA, AAI and Govt. of Gujarat for development, operation and maintenance of Water Aerodrome at above sites.
AAI appointed M/s Feedback Infra as consultant for preparing DPR. IWAI was entrusted of conducting bathymetry survey and execution of concrete pontoons and DGLL has installed marker buoys demarcating runway alignment, aircraft maneuvering and obstacles in water. Design of all works carried out by IWAI and DGLL have been vetted by IIT Madras. The average cost of development of water aerodrome is approx. Rs. 36 crore. Based on bathymetry survey and Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey Master Plan and flight SOPs have been developed by AAI.
As per MoU, the city side development works has been undertaken by GUJSAIL, Govt. of Gujarat. Although, the site selected was remote and had a lot of challenges due to difficult terrain, the agencies involved have worked tirelessly to complete the infrastructure development works in record 45 days.
TYPE OF SERVICES
The Water Aerodromes have been designed to cater to category 2B type of floatplanes such as the 19 seater Viking Twin Otter Series under VFR conditions. The runway of length 800m X 60m at Statue of Unity has been marked with Marker Buoys for clear visual demarcation. Also, areas with hazards to marine activity have been marked with nun buoys.
A sturdy Floating Jetty made of Structural Concrete Pontoons of size 24m X 9m along with necessary safety equipment, soft fenders, ‘in deck’ service utilities, mooring systems and connecting gangway with shore have been installed at the site for docking of seaplane. Currently, there is provision for docking of one seaplane at a time however being modular in nature this system can be expanded to accommodate more seaplanes as well.
The Water Aerodrome will initially function from an interim Terminal Building till the regular building of area 700 sqm. is constructed on shore for both the sites. The State Government shall operate and maintain the water aerodrome including providing fire and security services, as per regulations of DGCA and BCAS. The developed Water Aerodromes at Statue of Unity was officially inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 31 Oct. 2020.
