On the back of record aircraft orders from Air India and IndiGo, totalling more than 900 Boeing and Airbus planes, Indian seaplane operator Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) has ordered 50 Jekta PHA-ZE 100 all-electric seaplanes.

Jekta/MEHAIR Images: Jekta

Jekta is a Swiss company that has been developing sustainable amphibious aircraft and its PHA-ZE 100 is the latest in commercial seaplane technology. The first ten aircraft will be delivered starting in 2029, by which time Jekta expects it to have completed its certification process.

The PHA-ZE 100 electric aircraft will be reportedly certified to EASA Cs-23, and then in the US, it will be certified to FAA FAR-23 standards for fixed-wing aircraft.

There are numerous planned configurations of the seaplane but the initial delivery will consist of the standard 19-seat layout and will fulfil regional services in India. Other configurations include freight, VIP and air ambulance applications.

Mumbai-based MEHAIR has been operating seaplanes in India since 2011 and participates in the UDAN program, an Indian government project to boost air connectivity at underserved, regional airports throughout the country by providing a number of subsidies and other incentives.

Siddarth Verma, Executive Director of MEHAIR said: “Blessed with a 7,400km-long coastline and a rich diversity of rivers, lakes, backwaters and dams, India is readying for the amphibious aircraft revolution. We are one of the fastest-growing aviation sectors and the world’s largest untapped seaplane geography.”

In the context of unmitigated growth within the Indian air travel industry, with major Indian airlines ordering hundreds of aircraft to serve booming demand between major population centres, seaplanes are also expected to play a complementary role by connecting rural seaside communities as well as those located adjacent to India’s internal waterways.