NOEMI Aerospace and SkyHop Sign MoU for 15 Electric Seaplanes

Norwegian aircraft manufacturer NOEMI Aerospace and Indian operator SkyHop Aviation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 17, 2026, for the introduction of up to 15 fully electric amphibious aircraft into the Indian market.

The agreement, announced in a NOEMI Aerospace press release, aligns with the Indian government’s push to develop a large-scale seaplane network under its UDAN regional connectivity program. The deal expands NOEMI’s global commercial pipeline to over 90 aircraft and positions SkyHop to transition its future fleet toward Electric-Aviation by the end of the decade.

SkyHop’s fleet strategy and the UDAN initiative

SkyHop Aviation received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in April 2026, becoming the country’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operator. According to reporting by Aerospace Global News, the Airlines plans to launch initial operations connecting the Lakshadweep islands using 19-seat De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.

The operator targets a total fleet of up to 40 aircraft by the 2030 financial year. The MoU with NOEMI covers 10 planned aircraft by that timeframe, with an option for five additional airframes. SkyHop Founder and CEO Avani Singh noted that the company’s immediate priority is building a scalable network, but that electric and hybrid aircraft will become an important part of the transition.

“Ultimately, our ambition is for SkyHop to help build the seaplane ecosystem in India, not simply operate within it. That means looking at the aircraft we fly, the infrastructure we create, the technology we adopt and, over time, the opportunity to manufacture and assemble these aircraft in India,” Singh stated.

The Indian government is planning approximately 150 new seaplane routes under the UDAN scheme to connect coastal and island regions where conventional airport infrastructure is impractical.

NOEMI Aerospace’s expanding Asian footprint

The SkyHop agreement follows a rapid expansion of NOEMI’s commercial pipeline in the Asian market. Aviation International News reported that during the week prior to the SkyHop announcement, NOEMI signed MoUs with Indian state-owned Helicopters operator Pawan Hans and Philippine operator Horizon Sun Charters.

NOEMI Aerospace Founder and CEO Eric Lithun highlighted the momentum in the region, noting clear government ambition and operators preparing to expand fleets. Eirik Sandal, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of NOEMI Aerospace, added that government policy, infrastructure development, and new commercial operators are aligning simultaneously in India.

Aircraft development timeline

NOEMI Aerospace, formerly known as ELFLY Group, is developing a fully electric, nine-passenger amphibious aircraft. The Manufacturers targets 2030 for the aircraft’s entry into service. According to Aerospace America, NOEMI is preparing for propulsion tests and aims to complete construction of its primary structure and a full-scale demonstrator by mid-2027.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Indian market as a critical proving ground for next-generation amphibious aircraft. The geographic realities of India’s extensive coastlines and island territories make seaplanes a logical solution for regional connectivity, but historical attempts using legacy airframes have often struggled with high operating and maintenance costs. If NOEMI can deliver on the promised operating economics of a fully electric nine-passenger aircraft by 2030, it could unlock routes that are currently unviable with turbine-powered aircraft like the DHC-6 Twin Otter. The explicit mention of potential future manufacturing and assembly in India suggests that NOEMI and SkyHop are positioning themselves to benefit from the Indian government’s domestic industrial incentives as the program matures.

Sources: NOEMI Aerospace