SpiceJet working to begin amphibious aircraft operations

New Delhi, Oct 4 : Budget passenger carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday said it is exploring opportunities with Japan's Setouchi Holdings to introduce 10 to 14-seater amphibious aircraft operations in the country.

According to the airline, it is working closely with Japan's Setouchi Holdings to provide air services to the remotest parts of the country which have until now remained unconnected due to infrastructural challenges.

"Amphibious planes have the ability to take off and land from places that do not have landing strips and where no runway exists, thus reaching areas where there is no other mode of transport available," SpiceJet said in a statement.

"Reliable, tough and resilient, these smaller fixed-wing aircraft can land on water bodies, gravel and grass."

The airline pointed out that "demo flights" of the aircraft had been held in Nagpur and Guwahati.

Japan's Setouchi Holdings Inc., a part of the Tsuneishi Group of Hiroshima Prefecture, is a globally known pioneer in the small aircraft aviation industry.

Setouchi Holding owns Quest -- the manufacturer of specialised amphibious and non-amphibious range of aircraft globally. There are about 200 Kodiak Quest aircraft flying all over the world for the past 10 years.