Maharashtra gets its first Seaplane
MTDC and MEHAIR start
amphibian plane services from Mumbai to boost tourism
Mumbai, 24th February,
2014: The Maharashtra
Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Maritime Energy Heli Air Services
Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR) launched the first seaplane service of Maharashtra in Mumbai
today. The amphibian planes will eventually connect Mumbai with tourist
destinations adjacent to suitable water bodies even though there are no runways
at these destinations.
In the first phase of its operations in
Maharashtra, the services will be launched to destinations like Aamby Valley
lake, Mula Dam (Meherabad/Shirdi), Pawna Dam (Lonavla), Varasgaon Dam (Lavasa)
and Dhoom Dam (Panchgani/Mahabaleshwar).
Fliers can book seats on http://www.mehair.in/
from 5th March 2014.
The service was launched by Hon'ble Minister (Tourism) Shri Chhagan Chandrakant Bhujbal and present dignitaries during the event included, Shri Ranjit Kamble, State Minister for
Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, Mr Sumit Mullick, Additional Chief
Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Dr Jagdish Patil, Managing Director,
MTDC, Mr Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director, MTDC and Mr.
Siddharth Verma, Director and Co-Founder MEHAIR and Mr. Vivek Kumar, CEO Aamby Valley City.
Shri Bhujbal said, “This is a one more feather in the cap
of Maharashtra Tourism. We have constantly offering best and innovative
services and concepts to the tourism in the state. The Seaplane service will
add a lot to the tourism and help unlock the potentials.”
Similarly, Shri
Kamble said that it was the need of hour to have such a service. “We have
to keep up our pace with the global tourism standards. Maharashtra Tourism has
been moving aggressively in the directions of making the state as one of the
most favoured destinations in the country.”
The amphibian plane service will be priced to
suit all pockets as it will be for the mass market and not for a premium niche.
MTDC has partnered with MEHAIR to extend its support and engulf the vast vision
and encumbrance of this venture.
Dr Patil, said, "These services will boost tourism
greatly. Seaplanes will turn vacation destinations into weekend destinations.
The fatigue and expenditure involved in reaching your destination will also
come down drastically."
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Vivek Kumar said, “Seaplane services will add to the attraction
of the Aamby Valley and will cater to the resident and property owners within Aamby
Valley by offering a quick, economical and exciting mode of transport from
Mumbai” MEHAIR plans to soon have a full-fledged commuter service from Juhu to
Nariman Point which is the star attraction and is much awaited by the people
jostling with the heavy traffic of Mumbai.” The first flight is being flagged
off to the tourist destination of Aamby Valley which becomes the first seaplane
destination in the mainland of India.
The seaplane service is being launched in Maharashtra
with a Cessna 206 Amphibian and another Cessna 208 Amphibian aircraft will be
inducted by Apr’14 and these two models can accommodate 4 to 9 passengers
respectively. "We want to charge our customer affordable rates. A journey
from Juhu to Nariman Point could cost Rs 800 in a radio cab, and take at least
an hour. We plan to charge an inaugural price of Rs. 750 for our service, which
will complete the journey in less than ten minutes. This venture was only
possible with the tremendous support from the MTDC” Siddharth Verma said.
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