Govt Planning 100% FDI in Sea Plane Operations.

Government is planning 100 per cent foreign direct investment in sea plane operations as there is scope of phenomenal growth of sea plane, general aviation and helicopter travel.

"With India having a long coast line, there is a need for concerted efforts to promote sea plane operations. They are significant for the economy of islands like Anadaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep," said S N A Zaidi, Civil Aviation Secretary while addressing a seminar on "Operations of Sea plane in India".

The seminar was organised by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited which has started the country's first sea-plane operations -- Jal Hans -- in Andamans and Nicobar Islands.

He said that after general aviation and helicopter operations, there is scope of phenomenal growth of sea plane operations in India.

To promote the sector, the Civil Aviation Ministry has created a separate department to look after the matters related to infrastructure, safety, security and regulatory issues.

This would take care of disposal of cases related to cost and time of transactions in this sector, Zaidi said adding the the Ministry was strengthening the regulatory authority with the setting up of Civil Aviation Authority.

The Civil Aviation Secretary said there was a requirement of over 1,000 sea planes world wide in next decade and "10 per cent of them should come to India".

Manufacturers like Donier, Viking and Russia BE 200 Jets also said there was tremendous scope for sea plane operations in India.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com