India’s plans for regular seaplane connection to Lakshadweep were hit by a new roadblock after permissions for SkyHop Aviation’s proposed operations were withdrawn at the last minute.
SkyHop had been working on the launch services to connect Kochi to various Lakshadweep islands. It had already leased an aircraft, recruited personnel and started trial operations as part of preparing for commercial services.
The launch is now set to be delayed indefinitely, and SkyHop is talking to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) about it, according to the Times Now report and documents cited by media reports.
The Economic Times reported that the Lakshadweep administration withdrew permission after initially allowing preparations for the service. The administration, they said, cited a lack of infrastructure to handle seaplane operations.
Before they were available, SkyHop had already seen significant investment from SkyHop before they were launched; SkyHop made significant investments.
This was the first time SkyHop had spent months preparing for one of India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted the company an Air Operator Certificate in April 2026, and it had already secured its first aircraft lease earlier that year. The business anticipated its first major operating territory would be Lakshadweep, and it would start with a 19-seat aircraft.
Earlier reports also indicated that SkyHop had invested in infrastructure on several Lakshadweep islands. A document from the Airports Authority of India in February this year stated the company had acquired a Twin Otter DHC-6-400 aircraft with floats and built jetty infrastructure on five islands on its own.
The total investment in preparation has now reached around Rs 100 crore, they said. It also employed around 100 people in anticipation of the service.
The company had already leased aircraft and continued to pay lease-related expenses while commercial operations had yet to generate revenue, according to people cited by The Economic Times.
The launch was scheduled for Lakshadweep Islands.
The initial plan of SkyHop was to improve the connection between the mainland and Lakshadweep and also to connect a number of islands in the Union Territory.
The proposed network included Kochi and other islands like Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kadmat and Agatti. There was a published schedule with a September 18, 2026 start date, but this did not happen and there is no new commercial start date.
The proposed service would be better than sea travel, which is much longer, and weather can impact the service.
Seaplanes are especially appropriate for islands as they can fly on water bodies without airport runways.
The Centre also identified water aerodromes as part of its overall regional connectivity plans. The Cochin Port Authority says water aerodrome projects have been planned in some Lakshadweep locations like Kavaratti, Agatti, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kiltan and Minicoy. The environmental impact assessment on the six locations is currently ongoing.
At the last minute, permission was withdrawn.
The immediate problem came after the Lakshadweep administration withdrew permissions that earlier allowed SkyHop to proceed with preparations.
According to The Economic Times, the administration had granted permission and preparations were made for facilities associated with the waterdrome. A later message from the island's administration stated that there was insufficient infrastructure to handle seaplane operations.
The report said Giri Shankar, director of port, shipping and aviation at the Lakshadweep administration, did not respond to questions on the reason for the withdrawal.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also did not answer the questions cited in the report, and SkyHop did not respond to the newspaper’s questions.
The reported change has left the operator in a very difficult situation after months of preparation and expenditure.
Lakshadweep connectivity plans are facing a setback.
The dispute comes at the Centre’s time when it is trying to expand regional aviation to remote and underserved island communities.
The government has also suggested continued support for regional connectivity such as water aerodromes and financial assistance for operators in remote areas under the modified UDAN framework. The scheme specifically identifies island areas as those areas where better air connectivity can have economic, tourism, and emergency-access benefits.
Lakshadweep is particularly dependent on maritime and air connectivity because of its geography. Better transport links have long been regarded as essential for tourism and healthcare, education, supplies, and other essential services.
On the other hand, for SkyHop, the immediate priority is to resolve the permission issue and see if the proposed service can still be launched.
The company's approach to the PMO is reported after having invested in aircraft, infrastructure, personnel, and trials. Without regulatory and infrastructure problems, the proposed Lakshadweep seaplane service may not take place as it was planned in the past.
At present, it is not clear when a new commercial launch date will be given. The already announced September schedule should not be seen as an active service timetable.
