Seaplane services operator, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MehAir), is all set to return to the city with a cost-effective new aircraft with greater seating capacity.
Seaplane services operator, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MehAir), is all set to return to the city with a cost-effective new aircraft with greater seating capacity.
After a high-level meeting held earlier this week, MehAir got clearance to operate on the Juhu-Girgaon route. MehAir had been waiting for this clearance sine the past one year. Additionally, MehAir will re-start seaplane services for Pawana and Moola dams from Juhu aerodrome.
While Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) plans to start seaplane services on February 13 to coincide with “Make in India” week, seaplane co-founder Siddharth Verma said they will start operations in February with a Cessna 208A aircraft that can seat 14 passengers and two crewmembers. The aircraft used earlier was Cessna 208EX. capable of carrying nine passengers and two crewmembers.
MehAir will start seaplane services along Juhu-Girgaon at a promotional price of Rs 999 per passenger. “After Juhu-Girgaon, the operator is looking at starting services for Pawana and Moola dams. Earlier, they were charging Rs 4,999 on this sector but new rates will be decided after meetings with MTDC,” said Mr Verma. The operator is later planning to start seaplane services to Ganpatipule as well.
MehAir had launched in the city with two Cessna seaplanes in August 2014 but due to intra-state flight services, red tapism, environment issues and inclement weather, services were suspended in August 2015.
In 2015, MehAir tried to start seaplane services on Juhu-Girgaum Chowpatty but they could not get clearance for an air-conditioned tent at Chowpatty.
Now, when they have received clearance, Mr Verma told The Asian Age, “We have bought new seaplane with greater seating capacity which will help us earn more and we will be able to decrease the price also. Earlier, seaplanes had a restriction of flying only when there is 5km visibility but now they can fly with just 3km visibility.”
A seaplane is a powered fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing (alighting) on water.
