Seaplanes and ‘water aerodromes’ could potentially become a reality for tourism and recreational projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Draft Regulations seeking feedback on amendments for Minimum Safety Requirements (MSR) for Seaplane Operations.
The draft regulations state that certain marine areas and fishing grounds cannot be used for water aerodromes or floating platforms. Telangana has a large number of water bodies, with the majority located in rural areas. These water bodies serve various purposes such as irrigation, industrial use, pisciculture, domestic use, and recreation.
Similarly, Andhra Pradesh also has a significant number of water bodies, mainly in rural areas. A senior official from the State Fisheries Department mentioned that many water bodies are used for growing fish through auctions. Efforts to promote fisheries and recreational spaces around water bodies have been ongoing in both states.
However, challenges remain in determining how existing activities at water bodies might impact the establishment of water aerodromes for seaplane operations. Factors such as sea bed depth, aircraft size, distance from servicing islands, navigable airspace, community impact, and runway requirements must be considered.
Assessments are needed to determine the feasibility of establishing water aerodromes in both states. Final decisions on operating seaplanes and establishing new water aerodromes will depend on the implementation of the regulations by the DGCA.
