Waterfly Technologies, supported by IIT Madras’ incubation cell, is planning to offer a Rs 600 ticket for a three-hour Chennai-Kolkata journey using electric seagliders. These Wing-in-Ground (WIG) crafts, designed to fly just 4 meters above the water, will significantly cut down fuel consumption by leveraging ground effect for increased lift and reduced drag. The company claims its design provides 10 times better fuel efficiency than conventional aircraft, making the journey far cheaper than an AC three-tier train ticket, which costs over Rs 1,500.
How It Works
The seagliders take advantage of the “ground effect,” where the air cushion formed between the water and craft reduces drag and increases lift. This allows them to fly efficiently at lower speeds while still carrying passengers. Compared to an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, which consumes 2.5-3 tonnes of aviation fuel for a Chennai-Kolkata flight, the seaglider is much more fuel-efficient. The use of a blended wing design further optimizes fuel efficiency by minimizing pressure challenges typically faced by conventional aircraft.
Lower Manufacturing Costs and Enhanced Safety
Waterfly’s seagliders will be cheaper to manufacture due to their low-altitude flight, eliminating the need for high-pressure systems and reducing mechanical stress. They also don’t require engines that must operate under extreme conditions, such as maintaining power with a single engine during takeoff or overcoming drag and gravity at high altitudes. These factors contribute to smaller engines, lowering production costs.
Plans for the Future
The company is in the early stages of development and plans to build a 100 kg prototype by April 2025, with a one-tonne version later in the year. By 2026, a full-scale, 20-seater model could be ready for the Chennai-Kolkata route. Waterfly aims to expand to international routes like Chennai-Singapore and Dubai-Los Angeles by 2029, with potential defense and cargo applications.
Waterfly’s goal to achieve affordable and fast travel at an unheard-of price of Rs 600 could transform air travel, provided they overcome the hurdles of development and safety testing.
