India's First Commercial Seaplane Operator SkyHop Secures Air Operator Certificate

India is set to take a step into a new phase of regional air connectivity, with its first dedicated commercial seaplane operator SkyHop Aviation moving towards launch after securing regulatory clearance. SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, marking a significant milestone as the company prepares to commence commercial seaplane operations in India, the company said in a statement.

This development follows the successful series of test flights conducted earlier this month, including water take-offs and landings at the Ganga Barrage and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand. SkyHop Aviation is being developed as India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator, with a focus on improving access to regions where conventional airport infrastructure is either limited or difficult to develop. The airline aims to unlock new routes, reduce travel time, and enhance regional accessibility across the country.

"Receiving the AOC is an important milestone for us and the result of consistent effort over the past year. Building SkyHop from the ground up has been a learning experience, and this certification gives us the foundation to move ahead with confidence," Avani Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SkyHop Aviation, said.

She said SkyHop looks forward to continuing to work closely with the government and DGCA as preparations to commence operations progressed. She added that the aim was to offer a safe, reliable and new way of connecting parts of India that remain difficult to access, and that the company hoped to deliver an experience that is both practical and memorable for travellers while contributing, in a small but meaningful way, to regional access and national integration.

In the first phase, SkyHop plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and with the mainland. Operations will begin with a 19-seater aircraft. The airline is also evaluating opportunities in other parts of the country where such connectivity can make a real difference.

SkyHop had completed a test flight that included both landing and take-off from the Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh on April 6, 2026. The test was conducted using a modified De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft fitted with floats, allowing it to operate on water. This aircraft had previously belonged to the now-defunct Fly Big airline and has been repurposed for seaplane use in India after undergoing modifications and certification.

Seaplanes are aircraft designed to operate on water rather than conventional runways, allowing them to take off from and land on rivers, lakes and coastal areas. Instead of landing gear, they are equipped with floats or a boat-like hull that keeps them buoyant. Some variants, known as amphibious aircraft, can use both water and land surfaces. They are typically used to connect remote or island regions where building airport infrastructure is difficult, offering a flexible way to improve access and reduce travel time.