Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Friday that seaplane operations will soon begin in Lakshadweep as part of India's broader strategy to enhance regional air connectivity and diversify aviation infrastructure.
Addressing the gathering at 'India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0' in GIFT City, the Union Minister added: "India's aviation expansion is no longer limited to traditional aircraft operations but is extending to helicopters, regional aircraft and seaplanes to improve connectivity in remote and geographically challenging regions."
He said Lakshadweep will be among the first locations to implement seaplane services, strengthening access to island territories. "The government is also promoting leasing frameworks for smaller aircraft categories, including 40 to 100-seater planes, to support regional connectivity," he added.
The Union Minister added that new policy approaches such as fractional ownership models and treating aircraft as infrastructure assets are being actively developed to broaden investment participation in the aviation sector. "These initiatives are designed to ensure balanced growth across regions while improving last-mile connectivity.
Strengthening such connectivity models will be essential for India's long-term aviation expansion strategy," he noted. International Financial Services Centres Authority Chairman, K. Rajaraman, said that GIFT City has rapidly evolved into a global aviation finance hub under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"While there were no leasing units in 2020, today more than 40 aircraft lessors are operational in GIFT City," he added. He said that leasing transactions involving more than 200 aircraft and 84 engines have already been successfully completed, reflecting strong sectoral growth.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Civil Aviation Committee Chairman and Airbus India Managing Director, Jurgen Westermeier, said: "India's aviation financing ecosystem is gaining global recognition and GIFT City is emerging as a key centre for investment and policy innovation in the sector."
Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the state's infrastructure development, including GIFT City's connectivity and financial systems, is enabling new aviation opportunities. "The integration of global expertise and domestic policy support will strengthen India's aviation future," he added. He said that initiatives such as seaplane operations and aviation financing reforms will support India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.