FARNBOROUGH—Brunswick, Maine-based amphibious aircraft manufacturer Mallard is seeing demand from the Indian market for seaplanes, announcing several sales here at the Farnborough Airshow.
Mallard Enterprises’ largest order of the week came from Mehair—for Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd.—which signed a letter of intent (LOI) for 50 of the hull-based amphibious ME-1As.
Mehair launched seaplane services in 2011 and was awarded routes under a government scheme for regional airport development. Though its services stopped with the onset of COVID-19, the operator plans to resume operations by November 2024 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Gujarat, on India's western coast. “Mehair is committed to promote a robust amphibious seaplane industry in India,” says Siddharth Verma, Mehair's managing director. The operator is working to expand its seaplane footprint and expects to generate $100 million in revenue over the next four years combined.
“Mehair is at the forefront of launching modern seaplane services in India and is moving rapidly toward a pan-India seaplane presence,” said Mallard co-founder and COO Mohan Chunduri. “We are happy to collaborate with Mehair … to support the growth of seaplanes in India.”
Mallard also announced LOIs with Indian travel company and startup airline UrTripO Aviation for five ME-1As and an LOI with Indian charter Flyjet Aviation for three ME-1As.
The airframer expects to begin deliveries of its composite hull regional amphibious aircraft in 2028. The aircraft is being designed to offer a range of more than 350 nm (403 mi.) with 19 passengers and an extended range of 980 nm in a 10-passenger VIP configuration.
Orders announced at the show bring Mallard's total commitments to 80 aircraft from seven customers—five in India and one each in France and Turkey.
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