SpiceJet to start amphibious aircraft service in Assam within a year, Sonowal witnesses demonstration

The service of the aircraft, designed for the 21st century which can take off and land both from short, unimproved strips and water bodies, would likely to start in Assam within next 6 months to 1 year.

“Even while we are acknowledged as one of the world’s fastest growing markets, the ground reality remains that only about 3 percent Indians travel by air. Infrastructural challenges have been a key deterrent for providing air connectivity to smaller towns and cities. We are extremely delighted to join hands with Setouchi Holdings and look forward to exploring new opportunities that will help us serve our country better. With the ability to land in an small or confined space, smaller fixed wing aircrafts are the perfect flying machines that can effectively connect the country’s remote cities and airstrips which can in turn revolutionise the regional connectivity scheme,” CMD of SpiceJet Ajay Singh said.

The SpiceJet CMD said that, the amphibious aircraft operations will improve the connectivity in Assam and also to boost the state tourism sector.
         

Earlier talking to the press on the sidelines of the demonstration of the aircraft at the airport, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal said that when introduced the aircraft will lead to speedy development of Assam and North East.

He also termed the aircraft will be helpful to delve a big boost to Narendra Modi’s dream of regional connectivity.

“Assam is tipped to the be first in the country where amphibious aircraft would be put into service and once operated the service of aircraft besides being helpful in improving the economy of the state, would also revolutionize the connectivity of the region,” Sonowal said.

On the other hand Setouchi Holdings Executive Managing Director Dr Go Okazaki said that, "We are happy to introduce Kodiak and delighted to associate with SpiceJet for exploring opportunities in the field of aviation."

“We have already executed land plane demonstrations in Nagpur and Guwahati. As a next step, we would also like to go for seaplane demonstration soon,” Dr Okazaki said.

There are about 200 Kodiak Quest aircraft flying over the world for the past 10 years.

Despite tremendous growth in India’s civil aviation sector, air connectivity to smaller towns and cities has lagged behind compared to the big metros mainly due to lack of proper infrastructure.

UDAN or the regional connectivity scheme by the Union government aims to bridge this gap by providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports through revival of existing airstrips and airports.

Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and other top officials of SpiceJet also present in the programme.

On the other hand, some media persons of local media houses and representatives of national media alleged that, the authorities of SpiceJet had insulted them after they were barred to display the demonstration of amphibious aircraft in presence of Assam CM, CMD of SpiceJet.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)