Uttarakhand: SkyHop Aviation Conducts Successful Seaplane Test Flight at Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh (Watch Video)

SkyHop Aviation has successfully completed a seaplane test flight from the Ganga Barrage, marking an important milestone in its plan to begin commercial services in India. The trial took place on April 6 and involved a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, a 19-seater aircraft designed to operate from water surfaces, short airstrips, and challenging terrain. Following the successful demonstration, the company has initiated coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to obtain its Air Operator Certificate, which is essential for launching scheduled passenger operations across the country in the coming months.

Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, founder and CEO Avani Singh stated that the company aims to enhance connectivity in regions where building conventional airports is either impractical or too expensive. She emphasized that seaplanes can unlock new travel routes and drastically reduce journey times, particularly in remote and geographically difficult areas. Singh is independently spearheading the venture and clarified that SkyHop Aviation has no operational association with SpiceJet, despite her being the daughter of Ajay Singh, thereby reinforcing the company’s distinct identity and independent strategic direction.

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During its initial rollout phase, SkyHop plans to focus on improving connectivity within Lakshadweep by linking its islands with each other as well as with the mainland. The airline is also exploring opportunities in other underserved regions that lack proper airport infrastructure. At present, only a limited number of Indian cities are connected by air, leaving a significant gap in accessibility. The company intends to bridge this gap through amphibious aircraft operations. Having secured a no-objection certificate from the civil aviation ministry in June 2025, SkyHop is now in the final stages of obtaining regulatory clearances before commencing commercial services.