The administration of Lakshadweep, an Indian federally administered archipelago in the Arabian Sea off the southwestern state of Kerala, has withdrawn permission previously granted to SkyHop Aviation to commence seaplane operations, The Economic Times newspaper reported, citing documents it reviewed.

Business news outlet NDTV Profit separately reported that permission had been granted in August 2026, with operations expected to begin on September 16. The administration cited inadequate infrastructure and experience to handle seaplane operations.

As previously reported by ch-aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the start-up its air operator's certificate (AOC) in April 2026, following the granting of a no objection certificate (NOC) in July 2025. However, the carrier still requires local approvals to launch seaplane operations.

SkyHop planned to launch with a 19-seat, floats-equipped DHC-6-400, VT-SHE (msn 987), leased from AER Leasing, according to previous ch-aviation reporting. The airline intended to connect five Lakshadweep islands with each other and with mainland India, and had built seaplane docks at Agatti Island, Kiltan, and Kavaratti, the territory's capital.

On May 13, VT-SHE conducted trial flights from Kochi International to Agatti and Kavaratti. India's government-run Press Information Bureau said the trial involved representatives of the DGCA and was coordinated with the Lakshadweep administration, Cochin International Airport Limited, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the state-owned airport infrastructure body.