SkyHop Aviation secures DGCA nod to launch India’s first dedicated seaplane services
New Delhi, April 28. SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, clearing the way for the launch of commercial seaplane operations in India.
The approval follows a series of successful trial runs earlier this month, including water take-offs and landings at the Ganga Barrage and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand.
Positioning itself as India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operator, the airline aims to improve connectivity to remote and underserved regions lacking conventional airport infrastructure. The initiative is expected to open new travel corridors, shorten journey times and enhance regional accessibility.
Avani Singh, Founder and CEO of SkyHop Aviation, described the certification as a major milestone after a year of groundwork, saying it provides the regulatory foundation to begin operations with confidence.
She also acknowledged the support of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, and DGCA Director General Vir Vikram Yadav during the approval process, adding that the company aims to offer a safe and reliable mode of travel to hard-to-reach parts of the country.
In its initial phase, SkyHop plans to deploy a 19-seater aircraft to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and the mainland. The airline is also evaluating expansion to other regions where seaplane connectivity can provide logistical advantages.
