The seaplane project has come out “for good” from the ice and is being prepared through the waterway network that is being built to offer the solutions it promises!

The connecting link that is missing from the existing transport network of Greece and can unite the thousands of islands and coastal areas with the mainland is undoubtedly the seaplanes.

A project that has gone through many storms, delays and changes of legislative frameworks and yet remains always in the spotlight, as it can offer multiple benefits (at a tourist and economic level) both to the areas that will have the infrastructure that allows its flight operation, as well as to the passengers themselves.

The seaplane is intended to become a “useful tool” in the everyday life of the Greek and foreign traveler, as the characteristics of immediacy in the transport of passengers and goods, speed and safety as it operates flights within a short distance from the sea as well as the affordable ticket prices make it different from other transport options in Greece.

But when will the seaplanes fly?

The fact that seaplane flights have not yet been activated and the question of when they will be able to land in Greek ports is a question that concerns public opinion. It is often forgotten, however, that any means of transport, in order to be able to operate, also needs its infrastructure. Consequently, just as a train needs a complete railway network to destinations in order to carry out routes, so the seaplane is inextricably linked with the corresponding facilities of the water airports that will receive them.

Hellenic Seaplanes has undertaken the task of creating a strong and reliable network of waterways in Greece, a company with many years of experience in undertaking project licensing, operation, management and construction of waterways and water fields in Greece, with over 60 current projects in its portfolio.

The first destinations to take them off!          

The decisive steps that bear the seal of Hellenic Seaplanes regarding the establishment and construction of waterways bear fruit, which encourages more and more port and municipal authorities of the country to wish to acquire their own waterway or water field.

The first constructed waterways in Tinos, Patmos and Sifnos in combination with the ready-made facilities in Patras and Corfu give rise to optimistic scenarios regarding the first flights in 2023.

At the same time, a barrage of developments has been brought by the successive meetings held by Hellenic Seaplanes with its president and CEO, Mr. Nikolas Charalambous.

In the Peloponnese, Kalamata and Kyllini stand out

The new additions to the map of the waterways of the country come from Messinia and Ilia. According to the recent announcements, the licensed waterway at the Port of Kalamata is ready to enter the construction phase of its land and water infrastructure by a contractor company of Hellenic Seaplanes, while Kyllini is also included in the Peloponnese waterway subnet, as the license for the establishment of the infrastructure was granted.

At the same time, in a recent meeting that the governor of the Peloponnese, Mr. Panagiotis Nikas, had with Hellenic Seaplanes, the areas of Kyparissia, Kiato, Paralio Astros, Monemvasia and Gythio were discussed to be included in the cluster of waterways and water fields of Peloponnese, while in the phase of annexation to it are Lake Taka in Arcadia and Nafplio, Ermionida and Loutraki.

Investment’s interest is turning to the North Aegean  

The islands in the northern Aegean have long been in the spotlight as they have taken decisive steps towards the synthesis of their own infrastructure complex.

Recently, Lesvos joined the family of waterways and infrastructure of Hellenic Seaplanes as with the contribution of the company the island will obtain a license to establish a waterway in Mytilene as well as approval of water fields in two other areas, namely Petra and Plomari.

It is noteworthy that together with the fishermen who received approval for the acquisition of a water field in their port, Chios and Oinousses approach to receive the green light so that their ports immediately gain the advantage of bringing seaplanes close to them.

The certificate that brings seaplanes to Greece

In the midst of all this, Hellenic Seaplanes is just around the corner to activate the first in Greece and the field of air seaplane operation.

Being a modern aviation company, it completes within the next few months the process of obtaining the AOC certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (GVA) and sets out to bring its first aircraft to the Greek seas.

The strategy of Hellenic Seaplanes is to utilize the complex of waterways developed through its contractors and to implement the flight plans it has designed for the interconnection of the destinations it will serve with its privately owned Seaplanes, implementing its ambition for quality flights in all ports of Greece.