The first seaplane flight between Greece and Albania marks the launch of a new connectivity model for the Mediterranean!

Departing from Ioannina and bound for Vlore, Hellenic Seaplanes is undertaking a mission that marks the first-ever seaplane connection between two countries in Southeast Europe, laying the foundations for a broader maritime air transport network across the Adriatic and Ionian regions.

The mission commenced in Ioannina with a meeting at City Hall focused on the city’s water airport.

A few hours before the departure of the first international seaplane mission from Ioannina to Vlore, Albania, a meeting was held between Hellenic Seaplanes President and CEO Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, the Mayor of Ioannina Mr. Thomas Begas, and Mr. George Verbis.

During the meeting, the Municipality of Ioannina informed the company that the licensing procedures for the Lake Pamvotida Water Airport have now been completed and that, within the coming days, the tender process will be launched for the selection of a contractor responsible for the construction and operation of the facility. Hellenic Seaplanes, in turn, presented the schedule and objectives of the first international seaplane flight between Greece and Albania, a landmark initiative that inaugurates a new era of cross-border air connectivity in the region. Concluding the meeting, the Mayor extended his best wishes for the success of the mission and for safe flights ahead.

In his statements, Mr. Begas said, among other things: “…Today’s flight represents a highly positive and promising step for our region, as it demonstrates in practice the potential offered by the development of a modern seaplane network across the wider region of Epirus and the Balkans.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Hellenic Seaplanes founder, President and CEO Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, as well as Mr. George Verbis, who is active in the field of VIP helicopters and private aircraft and collaborates with the company. We had the opportunity to exchange views on the important prospects opening up for Ioannina through new forms of air connectivity and high-quality tourism”.

The first international seaplane mission between Greece and Albania

The initiative is being implemented following an official invitation from the Albanian authorities and marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at developing infrastructure, seaplane networks, and new cross-border transport corridors connecting coastal cities, island regions, and tourist destinations across the Mediterranean.

Flights to Vlore and Pogradec represent the first practical implementation of a vision that aims to establish Greece as a hub of expertise, development, and operation of seaplane networks for the wider Mediterranean region.

Hellenic Seaplanes, having already developed the largest network of licensed water airports in Greece, is now moving to the next stage: the international expansion of a new transport ecosystem that leverages the sea as a natural mobility infrastructure.

The connection between Greece and Albania is only the beginning!

The company’s strategic plan includes the gradual development of a broader network connecting countries across the Adriatic, Ionian, Eastern Mediterranean, and North Africa, creating a new model of regional connectivity, tourism development, and economic cooperation.

For the first flights to Albania and the broader plan for seaplane connectivity across the Mediterranean, the CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous stated: “Today we are not simply inaugurating a new route, but a new way in which the coastal and island regions of the Mediterranean can be interconnected. The Greece–Albania flight is the first step of a broader vision that aims to position our country as a key player in creating the first seaplane network in the Mediterranean. Greece does not only export tourism. It can also export expertise, infrastructure, innovation, and a new model of sustainable connectivity for the entire region”.