Andhra Pradesh Floats 10 Seaplane Hubs Under UDAN 5.5!

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry has received proposals from the Andhra Pradesh government to develop 10 water aerodromes under the UDAN 5.5 scheme to support seaplane operations.

The initiative aligns with the Centre’s push to expand water-based aviation routes and strengthen regional connectivity, especially across coastal and riverine regions. Proposed locations include Araku, Gandikota, Kakinada, and Tirupati, covering key tourism and coastal hubs. The government has been encouraging seaplane services since UDAN 3.0, with several states already bidding to enhance connectivity in remote areas.

The Minister noted that states must evaluate environmental, hydrological, and safety parameters before seeking final approval. “Andhra Pradesh’s proposed cluster of water aerodromes could position it as a leader in India’s seaplane ecosystem,” he added.

News by Rahul Yelligett.