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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu marked a significant step for the state’s tourism by launching a seaplane demo service between Vijayawada and Srisailam. The launch, which took place on Saturday from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, is part of a larger vision to make water-based aviation a popular travel choice and a boost for the economy. This move aims to promote tourism, create jobs, and improve travel options, reducing a typical eight-hour journey by road to a quick 45-50 minute flight. 

The Union Minister overseeing the project expressed optimism that full seaplane operations could start by early 2025, making this service accessible to more people. Seaplanes will make it possible to connect more remote areas, opening them up to visitors while creating economic benefits for local communities.

Naidu’s vision for Tourism growth

Chandrababu Naidu, enthusiastic about Andhra Pradesh leading India’s water-based aviation efforts, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support in launching the seaplane initiative. Naidu expressed his vision that new and innovative projects should happen first in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Amaravati. He shared his excitement about this demo flight and stated that his government is committed to promoting tourism by giving it industry status, which provides special advantages to attract investors and develop new tourism-related projects. 

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Future potential and safety improvements

Ram Mohan Naidu, who joined the maiden trial run, spoke of the potential for this seaplane service to transform travel and tourism, not only within Andhra Pradesh but across India. While similar initiatives had been planned earlier, they were delayed by the pandemic. However, the recent changes to safety guidelines by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in June have made it easier for seaplane services to meet the necessary infrastructure and regulatory standards. With these updates, the state hopes to provide a safe, efficient, and exciting new option for travel that will also benefit tourism and local communities. 

This seaplane service marks the beginning of a new era for Andhra Pradesh’s tourism sector, paving the way for innovative developments and a more connected future.