The technical file for the water airport has been completed and submitted to the relevant ministries, including the technical file and environmental study. While awaiting the completion of the licensing process, the immediate construction of the water airport will begin to integrate it into the Southern Aegean network, linking Tinos and Patmos, as stated by Hellenic Seaplanes…

The launch of the long-awaited sea planes in Greece seems to be approaching, as with the assistance of all government officials and initiatives at the municipal level, the operational environment for the sea plane sector is being finalized.

A prime example of this is the Municipality of Alimos, where, after the decision to establish a water airport, specific actions were taken and within a few months, the first water airport in Athens was submitted, which will strategically be perhaps the most significant step in the development of sea planes in Greece.

The protagonist of this initiative is Mayor Andreas Kondylis, who acted swiftly without delays in implementing the procedures for the establishment of the water airport. This water airport will serve as the base for the network in Greece, where dozens of flights will depart to various destinations.

Regarding the water airport, Mr. Kondylis stated:
“This is an effort of national importance. We expect to have the first water airport in Athens soon, which will breathe new life into the connectivity of all of Greece. Our goal is to complete the licensing of the water airport and begin its operation by the next summer season, so the first amphibious planes can take off. The sea planes will operate multiple and varied flights, including regular passenger flights, emergency passenger flights, sightseeing tours, cargo (medicine, food, press, parcels, etc.), hospital transport, search and rescue, and even firefighting. Through these flights, we will strengthen many sectors of the economy as well as the activities of our municipality… The fast licensing process that is now in place facilitates investment activity. The benefits of such an investment are multiple for the Greek economy: job creation, regional development, infrastructure and network development, and boosting the domestic tourism industry…”

At the government level, the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint the experienced Michalis Papadopoulos as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport, responsible for the development of the water airport and sea plane sector, seems to be yielding results, as many issues are being resolved and new development projects are starting…!! Sea planes, as it appears, will take to the skies of Greece much sooner, since within just a few weeks, the new Deputy Minister introduced a new amendment to resolve the last time-consuming issues in the licensing of water airports.

The Deputy Minister, Mr. Papadopoulos, in a relevant statement, said:
“Certainly, what interests us is the creation of a network as quickly as possible, a new transportation infrastructure that will give new life to the connectivity of all of Greece. The shaping and implementation of this new transportation infrastructure has the support of the government and the people throughout Greece. We will not tolerate further delays in the development of sea planes. The new amendment that was submitted will be voted on in the coming days, and we believe that soon we will have the expected results.”

To date, more than 90 water airports across Greece are in the process of licensing and implementation, and if everything goes well, soon Greeks will be able to fly almost anywhere by sea plane..!!

The President, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, in a relevant statement said:
“The goal of HELLENIC SEAPLANES is to connect central Greece with the islands, and the Alimos Water Airport will play a significant role in achieving this goal, initially flying to Tinos and Patmos, and very soon to the new destinations of Volos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros, and water airports in Evia. The Alimos water airport, as the first to begin operations in Athens, will establish the sea plane as a means of transport, thus offering Greeks and foreigners a safe and fast solution, ending long, uncomfortable, and slow travel while also helping the tourism development of our country during these difficult times, giving new life to the tourism product by offering new alternative forms of tourism.”

Specifically, Hellenic Seaplanes plans to begin flights within the first half of 2022, if everything proceeds according to the agreed program with the cooperating public bodies and port authorities, to two islands in the Aegean, Tinos and Patmos. These two destinations are prioritized for now, as the new site for the infrastructure in Tinos has been approved and we are now moving into the implementation phase, while the installation at Patmos Water Airport has been completed.

Meanwhile, Volos, the Sporades, Skyros, and Evia are the next network.

On the other hand, in the Ionian Sea, Hellenic Seaplanes is exploring the possibility of utilizing potential water fields on islands that can be licensed before the start of the upcoming tourist season, so that, along with the licensed water airports of Corfu and Paxos, a satisfactory water airport network can be formed.