De Havilland Canada optimistic on India seaplane import move

De Havilland Canada has said India's decision to allow the import of seaplanes up to 20 years old is a 'pragmatic and enabling step' for the country's seaplane ecosystem. Yogesh Garg, Regional Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific and Middle East at the Canadian manufacturer, said the regulatory shift will let operators induct capacity faster and at lower capital cost.

Garg noted that older seaplanes require strict airworthiness oversight and corrosion management, especially in amphibious conditions. Several regional players have shown interest in operating seaplane services connecting the mainland to Lakshadweep, though no such service currently exists in India.

Garg identified three enablers needed for sustainable scale-up: regulatory clarity including faster waterdrome approvals, infrastructure readiness such as floating docks and emergency-response systems, and commercial support through viability-gap funding. He said the government and agencies including DGCA and AAI have worked over two years to create a policy framework for seaplane operations, complementing the Modified UDAN regional connectivity scheme.