Andhra Pradesh’s seaplane tourism project

project in planning

The project involves developing a tourism-focused seaplane network across Andhra Pradesh under the Centre’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The state government plans to establish around 10 water aerodromes at major tourist and pilgrimage destinations such as Vijayawada, Srisailam, Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley, Lambasingi, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Suryalanka and Dindi. The initiative aims to improve regional air connectivity, reduce travel time between tourist circuits, and promote high-end tourism through amphibious aircraft operations on rivers, reservoirs, and coastal water bodies. Each proposed water aerodrome is expected to require an investment of about ₹20 crore, with the first likely route planned between Vijayawada and Srisailam. The project is intended to be implemented in phases through a public-private partnership model, with operations targeted to begin by 2027.