SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), marking a key milestone as it prepares to launch commercial seaplane services in India.
The certification follows a series of successful test flights conducted earlier this month, including water take-offs and landings at Ganga Barrage and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand.
Positioned as India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operator, SkyHop Aviation aims to enhance connectivity to remote and underserved regions where traditional airport infrastructure is limited. The initiative is expected to open new routes, reduce travel time and improve regional accessibility.
Avani Singh, Founder and CEO, SkyHop Aviation, said, “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.”
“We are grateful to Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Hon’ble Secretary, Civil Aviation Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, and Hon’ble Director General of DGCA Shri Vir Vikram Yadav for their guidance and support throughout this process. We look forward to continuing to work closely with them as we prepare to commence operations. Our aim is simple – to offer a safe, reliable and new way of connecting parts of India that are still difficult to access. We hope 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 its initial phase, the airline plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and the mainland, operating with a 19-seater aircraft. The company is also exploring opportunities to expand services to other regions where seaplane connectivity can add value.
