First seaplane service in Maharashtra launched from Mumbai to Lonavala

First commercial seaplane service in Maharashtra was launched from Mumbai to Lonavala on 25 August 2014 from Juhu aerodrome. The aircraft took off from Juhu airport and touched down on the waters of the Pawana Dam in Pune district of Maharashtra.

Pawana Dam is located in Lonavala in Pune district.

The service was operated with Cessna 208 (nine-seater) and Cessna 206 (four-seater) amphibian aircraft.

The maiden flight was made with nine passengers on board and a flying time of 25 minutes. The flying will cost 2999 rupees per head one way.

The service was launched by the Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MEHAIR) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

The service will slash travel time between the two points, currently serviced by trains, the Mumbai-Pune expressway and the Mumbai-Pune highway.

Earlier, MEHAIR pioneered seaplane services in India in the Andaman and Nicobar islands in January 2011.