Seaplanes will begin flying to Corfu starting in the Spring of 2024, operating sightseeing, organized, and charter flights, offering a unique experience to travelers!
Greece is gaining a new way to explore and travel through its beautiful landscapes, with Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Diapontia Islands being the first destinations.
Hellenic Seaplanes, the first airline in Greece to bring back sea plane flights in Spring 2024, visited Corfu as part of the preparations for the launch of its flights this summer.
During the visit, senior executives inspected the outdoor areas of Corfu’s water airport as well as the passenger and baggage check-in station, located near the cruise ship docking facilities on the island of the Phaeacians.
They also met with representatives from the Corfu Port Authority and the representative of the Corfu and Paxos Water Airport Operations Entity, “Northern Ionian Water Airports LLC,” Mr. Anastasios Govas. The discussions focused on:
- Ensuring the safe and effective operation of flights, starting with pilot flights and educational routes.
- Linking aerial tours with cruise tourism to promote and showcase the tourist and sightseeing product that the sea planes will offer in Corfu and neighboring Ionian destinations, such as Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Diapontia Islands.
A Portfolio of Services with Organized, Charter, and Aerial Tours
The company aims to launch scheduled air routes from Corfu’s water airport, with daily flights to neighboring islands. Additionally, interested travelers can charter an entire sea plane for private travel with their group. A new option of sightseeing flights will also be added to the service portfolio, allowing passengers to admire key landmarks of these destinations through low-altitude flights, capturing video and photos as they explore the islands from above.
High Interest from Cruise Passengers!
For the seaplane airline, creating special sightseeing packages for cruise tourists is of strategic importance. Hellenic Seaplanes is already in advanced discussions with tourist and shipping companies to jointly develop aerial recreational activities exclusively for cruise ship passengers. These will include aerial tours and sightseeing over the landmarks of Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Diapontia Islands (Othoni).
Through the sightseeing flights, which will begin and end at Corfu’s water airport, passengers will enjoy a unique flying experience, exploring multiple destinations from a completely different perspective, enjoying the view and landmarks while maximizing their island experience.
Regarding the infrastructure for sea plane take-off and landing, Corfu’s water airport is one of the first licensed water airports in Greece, having served hundreds of visitors in the past. It is fully equipped and meets all specifications for the safe and efficient operation of sea plane flights.
Corfu is one of the most popular cruise destinations in Greece, with approximately 1.5 million passengers visiting each year. Cruise tourism in Corfu is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The development of Corfu’s water airport and its support with water airports and fields in other Ionian destinations is expected to further boost the cruise sector.
Initially, Hellenic Seaplanes’ flights will be operated with a Cessna Caravan 208C passenger sea plane, which can carry up to 12 passengers per route. The sightseeing flights will last around 35 minutes, organized and charter flights will have routes within 15 minutes, and seat reservations will be easy and quick through Hellenic Seaplanes’ website and the network of partner travel agencies, hotels, and cruise companies.
The CEO of the Corfu Port Authority, Mr. Spyridon Zervopoulos, stated regarding the operation of Corfu’s water airport:
“The activation of Corfu’s water airport is a significant development for the island’s tourism, as it offers a new and attractive option for visitors and locals through Hellenic Seaplanes’ sea planes. Specifically, for cruise tourism, the aerial operations of sea planes present an opportunity to enhance passengers’ experience on our island, adding a new tourist service to their cruise package, giving Corfu a competitive edge over other destinations they will visit by cruise ship!”
“Corfu is one of the most popular and cosmopolitan tourist destinations in Greece, and we are excited to begin our flights to the island,” said Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, from the port of Corfu. “Our flights will offer tourists and cruise passengers a unique aerial sightseeing experience, as they will have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the islands from above. Significant benefits will also be gained by those wishing to travel quickly to and from neighboring islands, by choosing organized or charter flights. Hellenic Seaplanes’ flight business plan is being activated with Corfu as the first station and its water airport, an infrastructure that has played a significant role in the aviation sector. We are confident that this is just the beginning, and that sea plane routes will soon be operating at other water airports across Greece!”
“Corfu, a Leader for the Water Airports of Western Greece, the Ionian, and the Peloponnese”
With the launch of flights from Corfu to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Diapontia Islands, the creation of a network connecting the water airports and ports of Western Greece and the Peloponnese becomes especially important. Hellenic Seaplanes’ flight plan includes infrastructure in Amfilochia and Lake Ioannina, while priority remains on the ready-to-operate water airports in Patras, as well as the water airports of Kyllini and Kalamata. The completion of these facilities will facilitate the connection of Corfu with the Peloponnese.
Interest in this network has intensified recently, as Ermionida, Monemvasia, Nafplio, Nea Kios, and Gythio have given the green light. A key challenge now is to expand the network of service stations in the Ionian, following the interest from Zakynthos and Sami in Kefalonia to bring sea planes to their ports.
