India seaplanes get electrifying push

SkyHop Aviation, said to be India’s first dedicated seaplane operator, has signed an initial pact with Noemi Aerospace to explore deploying electric seaplanes in India and South Asia, as the company looks to build a new regional air network around cleaner, shorter-haul travel.Under the memorandum of understanding, SkyHop will assess adding Noemi’s electric seaplane to its fleet, while the companies jointly examine the technical, operational, commercial and regulatory hurdles to launching electric seaplane services in India, the company said in a statement.Also Read: India’s seaplane era set to begin as SkyHop gets nod for first commercial flights“India’s seaplane opportunity goes far beyond connecting one destination to another. With our vast coastline, islands, rivers and lakes, seaplanes can fundamentally change how we connect regions where conventional airport infrastructure is difficult or impractical to build,” said Avani Singh, Founder & CEO, SkyHop Aviation.Avani Singh said the immediate priority is to build a safe, reliable and scalable seaplane network across India."But as we build that network, we also have an opportunity to think ahead about what the next generation of the fleet should look like. Electric and hybrid aircraft could become an important part of that transition, particularly for short regional routes, and our partnership with Noemi allows us to begin evaluating that opportunity today,” she said.The seaplane operator aims to have a fleet of up to 40 aircraft by fiscal year 2030 and expects electric and/or hybrid seaplanes to form around 20-25% of this fleet subject to operational suitability and regulatory approvals.SkyHop plans to add as many as 10 Noemi aircraft by fiscal 2030 through purchases, leases or a mix of both, subject to commercial evaluation and final agreements. It may also take up an option for five more aircraft after FY2030, depending on the successful induction and performance of the planes.SkyHop’s initial operations will target connectivity between the Lakshadweep islands and the Indian mainland, using a 19-seat Twin Otter seaplane. The company is also assessing other parts of India where seaplane services could bridge gaps in conventional aviation infrastructure while cutting travel times."We are seeing is that India is putting effort into making the seaplane strategy real, this the beginning of a strong market," said Eric Lithun, Founder and CEO of NOEMI Aerospace. "There is strong government ambition, a major programme for new seaplane routes and now Skyhop is preparing to build its fleet. The agreement with SkyHop is an important confirmation that our aircraft fits the direction this market is taking."