Mehair (Mumbai International) in conjunction with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has launched India’s first seaplane service with flights between Mumbai Juhu and Aamby Valley City, a gated high-income community located 120km away.

Using Cessna (single piston) 206 and Cessna (single turboprop) 208 amphibian aircraft, Mehair will launch services to Gangapur Dam in Nashik, Mula Dam in Shirdi, Pawna dam in Lonavala, Varasgaon Dam in Lavasa (Pune district) and Dhoom Dam in Mahabaleshwar (Satara district).

In the second phase, Mehair will connect Mumbai with destinations on the Konkan coast including Ganpatiphule, Harihareshwar, Tarkarli and Murud Janjira. Flights to Marathwada and Vidarbha will follow thereafter.

Mehair has also signed a firm agreement with the southern Indian state of Goa to introduce seaplane services there in support of the tourist industry.

In 2011, Mehair pioneered the launch of seaplane services in India with flights in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It currently has plans to operate 25 seaplanes over the next five years.