Just after four days of launch, SpiceJet suspended India’s first seaplane services. The service was suspended citing maintenance of the aircraft, a SpiceJet official said “The aircraft will undergo routine maintenance for two days. There will be no seaplane operations on November 4 and November 5. It has been flying continuously for the past one week and hence some maintenance was needed.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the seaplane service between the Statue of Unity and Sabarmati Riverfront on October 31. PM Modi said the service will give a boost to tourism while helping the local economy.
Inaugurated sea plane services between Ahmedabad and Kevadia. This service will boost tourism and help the local economy. pic.twitter.com/KWpF9tXAXA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2020
SpiceJet has wet-leased an 18-seater Twin Otter 300 seaplane from Maldivian Aero, the national airline of Maldives. Under the agreement, Maldivian Aero will provide crew, maintenance, and insurance to the private carrier.
Although after its historic launch by PM Modi the seaplane has received around 3,000 booking requests in just two days. The launch took place on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 145th birth anniversary.
The seaplane is docked at the jetty on the water aerodrome in Sabarmati Riverfront, where the maintenance work will be undertaken. The resumption of the service is expected from November 6.
