Seabird seaplane to link destinations in Kerala, Lakshadweep
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Kochi: An amphibious aircraft, purchased by Seabird Seaplane Private Ltd, an initiative of two technocrats and financially supported by an associate company of INKEL Limited, will connect destinations in Kerala and Lakshadweep. Quest Kodiak 100 amphibian, which is the first aircraft purchased by the company, has arrived at Cochin International Airport.
The ten-seater, which landed on Friday night, will be based at Cochin International Airport Limited.
Flown by two Kochi-based pilots, the aircraft took off from South St Paul airport in United States on September 27.
Flying over four continents — North America, Europe, Africa and Asia—in weather conditions varying from -20 degree Celsius to +50 degree Celsius, it flew for more than 80 hours before arriving in this city.
En route, it stopped in 20 places for refuelling: three stops in Canada, two in Greenland, one each in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, two stops in France, one each Italy, Greece, Egypt, two stops in Saudi Arabia, one each in Bahrain, Oman, Pakistan and finally two in India, according to a release here.
A second aircraft of the company is currently undergoing special modifications for water operations in the US.
It is expected to arrive within a month.
INKEL is an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative which brings together government agencies and prominent global investors and NRI industrialists and businessmen.
