Monday, January 21, 2013

Four operators register for seaplane project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Four companies have expressed interest to start seaplane operations from Kerala and have registered with the government to avail the early bird incentive. However, the operators may not be able to meet the January 31 deadline for conducting test flights as many are awaiting director general of civil aviation (DGCA)'s import license to bring their aircraft from abroad.

According to tourism department sources, two Mumbai-based aviation companies, Bhart Aviation Pvt Ltd and Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd, Delhi-based Pinnacle Air Pvt Ltd and Hyderabad-based Turbo Aviation Pvt Ltd have registered for the early bird incentives, which is a waiver on infrastructure fees. But the condition laid down by the cabinet is that the operators must send in their expression of interest to the Kerala government and also conduct a test flight before January 31.

"No test flight, no early bird incentive," said tourism secretary, Suman Billa, who recently held a meeting with Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh for discussing DGCA mandatory clearances.

"The cabinet had decided that the seaplane operators must conduct a test flight before January 31 if they want the incentive. If any changes need to be made then it has to come from the Cabinet. Everything is on track as far as the government is concerned. The design for the floating jetty has been submitted to the ports director for stability test. The department of hydrography under the ports department has certified the water body at the four locations where the seaplane will land and take-off. I have a letter that says environmental clearance is not needed for the project. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is offering training to the security personnel who will be ready to take charge soon. So we are basically ready," he said.

Turbo Aviation MD V Umesh said he has ordered the aircraft but waiting for a series of clearances from DGCA. "I should be ready with my Cessna-208A latest by March," he said.

Mehair is the only operator in India who has experience in seaplane operation. But their aircraft is currently at Andaman and Nicobar. Though the company's contract with the A&N administration had ended the authorities are not ready to release the aircraft as they depend on it during emergencies. Mehair is also awaiting a new aircraft to bring to Kerala.


Source:   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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