SpiceJet keen to introduce 'Sea Plane' air connectivity in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: SpiceJet Limited, a leading Indian aviation player in the country on Monday evinced interest in introducing 'Sea Plane' air connectivity on at least three routes in Odisha.

In a letter to the State Chief Secretary Aditya padhi, the aviation firm maintained that it is considering the feasibility of rolling out 'Sea Plane' operations in the State and is working on a detailed project report (DPR) for the ambitious project.

"We (SpiceJet) are also open to revision, discussion and feasibility of routes based on local requirement, profitability and tourism potential in the region," the company said in its official communication.

As per the proposals, SpiceJet has shown interest to connect three different routes under the plan citing commercial and tourism potential.

1. Bhubaneswar to Puri via Chilika Lake and back to Bhubaneswar
2. Bhubaneswar to Chandipur via Bhitarkanika National Park and back to Bhubaneswar
3. Bhubaneswar to Hirakud Dam (Sambalpur) and back to Bhubaneswar

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had written to the state tourism department for water Aerodrome operations in the State and requested to identify a site in Chilika for the purpose.

A central team comprising officials of AAI, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and SpiceJet will be visiting the site for conducting a feasibility study.

Earlier on Sunday, a team of AAI, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the low-cost airline officials had carried out a field visit at Satpada, Rambha and Balugaon area of the lake to assess the situation for the project.

Though Odisha government welcomed the proposal, the team is yet to submit its study report on the project.