SpiceJet conducts seaplane trial in Mumbai

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet on Saturday (December 09) conducted trials for India's first seaplane in financial capital Mumbai.

Reportedly, the trial is part of the private carrier's business plan to bring small amphibious planes into operation and promote regional connectivity. India's Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju attended the trials.

Terming it a 'revolutionary change', Gadkari said these small planes could also help boost tourism in remote parts of the country.

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SpiceJet has plans to buy more than 100 amphibian aircrafts from Japan's Setouchi Holdings for about $400 million and hopes to put them into operations within the next 12 months, media reports said. These planes are capable of taking off and landing in places that lack runways and can work on roads and water.

Last year, India's aviation ministry launched "Regional Connectivity Scheme" to boost air travel between smaller cities. India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, with around 70 million domestic tickets sold annually and passenger numbers rising 20 percent a year.