Mumbai : After the successful launch of seaplane services in Maharashtra between Mumbai and Pawana dam (Lonavala), MEHAIR and MTDC have announced that the next destination of the seaplanes service will be Mula dam. Mula dam is a waterdrome located between the religious destinations of Meherabad, Shirdi and ShaniShinglapur all of which attracts lakhs of pilgrims throughout the year.Tickets on the flights from Mumbai to Mula dam are available at an inaugural price of Rs 5,499/- per person one way.Bookings will open from tomorrow on www.mehair.in as well as on phone +91 22 26172929 and 26166646. The flights will commence on Thursday, September 19th. Initially there will be one flight per day departing Mumbai at 0830 Hrs except Thursdays when there will be two flights departing from Mumbai at 0830 Hrs and 1400 Hrs respectively. All will be quick turnaround flights.

Mrs. Valsa Nair- Singh, Secretary Tourism and Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), said, “This is a first of its kind unique initiative of MTDC and we hope that local, domestic and international tourists  take advantage of this service. We will be  coming up with many more such offers and initiatives for the tourists in near future.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. SiddharthVerma, Co-Founder & Director said, “We have received a tremendous response from the fliers for Pawana (Lonavala). The service will now enable the large number of pilgrims travelling to the holy sites of Meherabad, Shirdi and ShaniShinglapur to travel quickly and conveniently to their destinations in about 45 mins plus a short road trip as opposed to 6 hour journey by road. We are confident that the people will  see the immense value of the service and will take full advantage of it.”

Besides Pawana and Mula dam, MEHAIR is also poised to launch services to Gangapur Dam in Nashik and Dhoom Dam in Mahabaleshwar (Satara district) in the coming weeks. The amphibian planes will eventually connect Mumbai with multiple tourist destinations in the state, adjacent to suitable water bodies even though there may not be any runways at these destinations.

The seaplane service was launched in Maharashtra with Cessna 208 Amphibian aircraft (9 seater) and Cessna 206 Amphibian (4 seater) in the month 25th august 2014. These two models can accommodate 9 to 4 passengers respectively.

MEHAIR pioneered the launch of seaplanes in India three years back in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Jan, 2011. With the launch of the service in Maharashtra, the company has ushered in an exciting mode of transport to be enjoyed and availed by tourists & locals for a leisure experience as well as point-to-point connectivity.

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar