SpiceJet plans to purchase more than 100 amphibian planes, estimated to cost $400 million, as the no-frills airline looks to boost regional operations, its Chief Ajay Singh said on Wednesday.

With regard to purchase of the up to 14-seater amphibian aircraft, that can operate on land as well as on water bodies, SpiceJet has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Setouchi Holdings.

Announcing its plans to enhance regional operations, Singh said the MoU is to explore whether the amphibian planes can be used by the airline in a cost effective manner.

“If it is done, it will be done in excess of 100 planes,” he said in response to a query on how many amphibian aircraft would be ordered.

Noting that these aircraft are not expensive, he said one amphibian plane costs around $4 million. This would translate to a total amount of more than $400 million (about ₹2,600 crore) for over 100 such planes.

“We are studying the commercial viability (of this project). SpiceJet will get involved whatever the structure might be...directly, separately or as part of travel vertical,” the airline’s Chairman and Managing Director said, adding that the interests of States have also to be assessed.

Speaking to reporters here, Singh said if things move ahead, then the project would be done in one year.

(The reporter is in Guwahati at the invitation of SpiceJet)

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