SkyHop Aviation, a Gurugram-based seaplane startup, has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), potentially making it India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operator.
A New Horizon in Indian Aviation
After years of on-and-off developments in the seaplane space, SkyHop is on the cusp of unlocking sea routes and improving air connectivity across the island regions of India. In July 2025, the journey to certification began where SkyHop was granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The company subsequently leased and modified a DHC-6-400 with floats for seaplane operations.
On April 6, 2026, the company operated a test flight which included water take-offs and landings at the Ganga Barrage and Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand, India. SkyHop’s first phase of operations will focus on the Lakshadweep archipelago off the southwestern coast of India by connecting five islands with each other and with the mainland. To support these services, it has built seaplane docks at Agatti, Kiltan, and Kavaratti islands.
Vision for SkyHop
Founder and CEO of SkyHop Aviation, Avani Singh, quoted:
“Receiving the AOC is an important milestone for us and the result of consistent effort over the past year. Building SkyHop from the ground up has been a learning experience, and this certification gives us the foundation to move ahead with confidence.”
She added that the company is working closely with the Union government and DGCA as it moves toward commencing operations, with a stated goal of offering a safe, reliable and new way of connecting parts of India that remain difficult to access.
The AOC also comes on the back of renewed policy momentum, with Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, announcing the modified UDAN scheme and initiatives to improve last-mile connectivity and boost tourism.
With its AOC now secured, SkyHop faces the real test. Can it deliver where SpiceJet has struggled? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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