MEHAIR and Tidal Flight Sign LOI at Singapore Airshow for Polaris, Reinforcing India’s Commitment to a Sustainable Seaplane Ecosystem
Singapore / India / USA – 4 February 2026 – Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR), India’s pioneering seaplane operator, today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Tidal Flight Inc., USA, for the acquisition of five (5) firm and five (5) optional Polaris hybrid-electric seaplanes. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2026, underscoring MEHAIR’s long-term commitment to building a modern, sustainable, and scalable seaplane ecosystem for India—one of the world’s largest emerging markets for water-based aviation.
Polaris is a 9–12 passenger hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft engineered for regional connectivity with minimal infrastructure dependence. Designed to operate seamlessly from both water and conventional runways, Polaris offers a runway-independent, infrastructure-light platform ideally suited for India’s vast coastline, island territories, inland waterways, and remote regions. Aircraft deliveries are targeted from 2030, aligned with MEHAIR’s phased fleet induction and long-term network expansion strategy.
The aircraft’s hybrid-electric propulsion architecture is expected to deliver significantly lower fuel burn, reduced operating costs, and quieter operations compared to conventional regional aircraft, while maintaining compatibility with future sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). These characteristics position Polaris as a next-generation solution for environmentally responsible short-haul air mobility, supporting India’s broader decarbonisation and regional connectivity objectives.
Commenting on the signing, Siddharth Verma, Managing Director, MEHAIR, said:
“This LOI is a strategic milestone in MEHAIR’s long-term vision to not only operate seaplanes in India, but to help build a sustainable, future-ready ecosystem around water-based aviation. The Polaris platform aligns strongly with our objective of unlocking new regional markets, dramatically reducing travel times, and enabling safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible connectivity across India’s vast maritime and inland geography.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Jude Augustine, Co-Founder & CEO, Tidal Flight, Inc., said:
“With India investing so strongly in amphibious aviation through the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, this partnership with a leader in Indian seaplane aviation like MEHAIR is a great opportunity to bring Polaris to a rapidly growing market. As a hybrid-electric aircraft, Polaris will enable rapid scale-up of sustainable and affordable service, even in locations with limited electric infrastructure.”
About MEHAIR
Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR) is India’s pioneering seaplane company since 2011 which has been awarded 92 seaplane routes under India’s UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, placing it at the forefront of India’s emerging seaplane sector. Beyond aircraft operation, MEHAIR’s strategy encompasses infrastructure development, regulatory engagement, operational capability building, and local ecosystem creation, positioning seaplanes as a mainstream mode of regional transport rather than a niche offering.
About Tidal Flight, Inc.
Tidal Flight is a Hampton Roads, Virginia-based startup founded in 2023 to build aircraft for sustainable and affordable air travel. Tidal’s first aircraft is Polaris, a modern 9-12 passenger hybrid-electric seaplane designed to serve coastal regional mobility and defense missions. To learn more about Tidal Flight, visit www.tidalflight.com.
Media Contact – MEHAIR
Name: Mansi Patni
Title: Head – PR & Media Relations
Email: admin@mehair.in
Phone: +91 98339 26435
Website: www.flymehair.com
Media Contact – Tidal Flight
Name: Jude Augustine
Title: Co-Founder & CEO
Email: jude@tidalflight.com
Phone: +1 503 764 5396
Website: https://www.tidalflight.com/