New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS): Seaplane operator Mehair Tuesday announced plans to setup the country's first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for single engine seaplanes.

"Such a facility will not only cater to the seaplane population of India but also the growing seaplane numbers around India in the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region," said Siddharth Verma, co-founder and director, Mehair.

"As of now these planes need to go to the US, Europe or Australia thereby having to spend a lot of money on the ferry flights, as well as the high cost of labour in these countries."

According to the company, India provides an excellent next door facility plus economics of lower cost to the seaplane fleets of the Saarc region.

"Additionally, it will earn India valuable foreign exchange, generate jobs and make Gujarat the nodal point for seaplane activity in the region," Verma added.

He disclosed that the seaplane MRO is proposed to come up in Gujarat. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat state government on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat meet.

The company disclosed that the MRO has been planned to come up next to Bhadar dam close to Amreli airport, as it can then accommodate both amphibian and straight float type seaplanes at the facility.

The company added that the MRO is likely to be up and running within the next 18 months subject to the grant of land and other statutory approvals from the state and central authorities.