A seaplane belonging to Seabird Seaplane Private Ltd. landed at the Cochin international airport on Friday night. The amphibian aircraft Quest Kodiak 100, which has a capacity of 10 persons, including the pilot, will be engaged in services between Kerala and Lakshadweep, company officials said.
The aircraft was flown in from the U.S. to Kochi after touching down at airports in various countries. The aircraft was flown by the company pilots from the South St. Paul airport in the United States.
The flight began on September 27 and came via Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Pakistan before entering India.
The company was in the process of acquiring one more aircraft, the officials said.
The second aircraft was undergoing modifications for water operations in the United States and expected to arrive within a month.
The seaplane would be stationed at the Cochin international airport. It had to acquire Indian registration and test flights. Commercial operations would begin soon after completing the formalities.
The company was keen on launching flights in various sectors.
The government launched the inaugural flight of a seaplane two years ago. The project was delayed after fishermen objected to landing at waterdromes to be set up in backwaters as they feared it would affect fishing operations.
The government had conducted a study by an expert panel which gave green signal for the flights but recommended shifting of the proposed waterdrome from Punnamada to Vattekayal in Alappuzha.
Seaplanes can avoid controversial sites and has the option to land at airports, airstrips or water bodies.
