Maharashtra to Revive Seaplane Tourism After 10 Years

MUMBAI- Maharashtra is reviving seaplane tourism, after 10 years, to connect cities like Pune and Mumbai with scenic spots.

The initiative, led by MTDC, aims to reduce travel time and promote tourism from Mumbai (BOM) to destinations like Ganpatipule.

Photo: Swan River Seaplanes

Revival of Seaplane Services

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) announced on May 15, 2025, the relaunch of seaplane tourism, a decade after its 2014 debut, to enhance connectivity from Mumbai (BOM) and Pune (PNQ) to picturesque, hard-to-reach destinations like Ganpatipule (Ratnagiri), Koyna Dam (Satara), Ujani Dam (Solapur), and Mandwa (Alibaug), as per The Indian Express.

The project deploys 9-to-19-seat seaplanes, capable of landing on certified waterbodies or helipads, offering a unique aerial experience while slashing travel times, cutting the 7-hour Mumbai to Ganpatipule road trip to under 90 minutes.

Regulatory Delays

Unlike the 2014 attempt, halted by regulatory delays and legal issues with partner Sahara Group, the current plan leverages existing infrastructure and streamlined coordination with the DGCA. MTDC’s open bidding process invites experienced operators, ensuring reliability for routes serving Mumbai (BOM).

The initiative promotes Maharashtra’s beaches, mountains, and UNESCO sites like Ellora, drawing 40 million tourists yearly, per MTDC, and supports local economies in regions like Konkan.

Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)

Past Challenges

The 2014 seaplane service, a nine-seat flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Pavana Dam near Lonavala, failed due to delayed approvals and Sahara Group’s legal troubles, costing $2 million in losses, per industry estimates. A proposed Juhu to Girgaum Chowpatty route also collapsed without jetty approvals.

This time, MTDC prioritises practical routes, using certified waterbodies like Ujani Dam and existing helipads, reducing setup costs by 30%, per a senior MTDC official. Coordination with aviation authorities ensures compliance, targeting operational start within months from Pune (PNQ) and Mumbai (BOM).

Photo: SpiceJet

DGCA Guidelines

The DGCA’s updated guidelines, allowing amphibious aircraft with minimal infrastructure, enable faster rollout, unlike the 2014 regulatory bottlenecks. MTDC’s focus on experienced operators mitigates risks, learning from Kerala’s 2023 seaplane success, which boosted tourism by 15%, per KTO.

Tourism Benefits

Seaplane services aim to boost local economies by increasing tourist footfall to destinations like Mandwa, a 20-minute flight from Mumbai (BOM), compared to a 3-hour ferry.

Ganpatipule, with 500,000 annual visitors, could see a 20% tourism spike, generating $10 million in local revenue, per MTDC projections. Exclusive air tours showcasing Maharashtra’s Ajanta caves and Sahyadri ranges enhance appeal, targeting high-net-worth travellers.

Photo: Narendra Modi X page

Future Prospects

The project’s success hinges on consistent service and public awareness, with 60% of Indian travellers unaware of seaplane options, per Skyscanner surveys.

High operational costs, demand subsidies, or high demand to break even. MTDC’s collaboration with operators experienced in Goa’s seaplane trials ensures reliability, targeting 50 weekly flights by 2026.

If successful, Maharashtra could pioneer India’s first multi-route seaplane network. Final DGCA approvals, expected by August 2025, will determine the launch timeline, with Mandwa and Ganpatipule as flagship routes.

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