Seaplane Flying In From Maldives Lands Successfully In Kerala Channel In Technical Halt
A Twin Otter 300 seaplane of Spicejet Technic took off from Male, Maldives & made a successful landing inside Venduruthy channel at Kochi, Kerala today for a technical halt.
A Twin Otter 300 seaplane of M/s Spicejet Technic took off from Male, Maldives and made a successful landing inside Venduruthy channel at Kochi, Kerala today for a technical halt. The seaplane is a 19-seater and able to accommodate 12 passengers, read a press release from Southern Naval Command.
The aircraft, which made a transit stop in the state on Sunday, is scheduled to fly to Ahmedabad where it will be a part of the government's plan to boost connectivity between Gujarat's Sabarmati river front and the Statue of Unity.
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#WATCH A Twin Otter 300 seaplane of Spicejet Technic took off from Male, Maldives & made a successful landing inside Venduruthy channel at Kochi, Kerala today for a technical halt. The seaplane will be able to accommodate 12 passengers: Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi pic.twitter.com/dc76noaGJH
¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2020
The press release said, ¡°The seaplane was provided assistance with berthing facility at Naval jetty and refueling for their onward journey. The seaplane is scheduled to fly to Ahmedabad where it will commence flying as a part of regional connectivity scheme between Sabarmati river front and Statue of Unity.¡±
¡°Seaplanes are a natural choice of connectivity between mainland and Lakshadweep islands and inland water channels at Kochi and sheltered lagoons in the islands offer ideal space for the seaplanes to land and take-off,¡± it said.
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ANI
Representatives of Spicejet, Indian Navy, CIAL and District administration were present to supervise the transit halt. The crew of the seaplane were greeted by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
The occasion also refreshed fond memories of amphibious aircraft operations from Kochi naval base in the yesteryears. Incidentally, the birth of Indian Naval Aviation was also preceded by a similar landing of Sealand aircraft in the Venduruthy channel at Kochi on February 4 1953, the press release added.
In the image below, you can also see INS Vikrant's aircraft carrier under construction.
ANI
The Centre has been planning to start several seaplane routes to boost regional connectivity and tourism in the country. Last year, seven islands in the Andamans and Lakshadweep were identified for seaplane operations.
