Hellenic Seaplanes Brings Seaplane to Kalamata for KEDE Conference. A special flight from Athens and two days of demonstration flights involving mayors from island and mainland Greece.

On the morning of Thursday, November 5, shortly before the opening of the Annual Conference of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), a Hellenic Seaplanes aircraft arrived in Kalamata, landing on the water at the city’s port after a special flight from Athens.

Among the passengers on board were Mr. Fotis Mangos, Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr. Vasilis Politis, representing the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes.

They were welcomed at the port by Mr. Ilias Koutivas, President of the Municipal Port Authority of Kalamata, accompanied by members of the Authority’s Board of Directors and staff.

The seaplane stayed overnight at Kalamata’s water airport, while the familiarization flights, which had begun on Thursday, continued on the morning of Friday, November 6.

Mayors from the Greek Islands, Attica and Across Greece Take Flights from Kalamata Water Airport

Among the local government representatives who took part in the flights on November 5 and 6 were Mr. George Daniil, Mayor of Oinousses, Mr. Kostas Vratsanos, Mayor of Psara, Mr. Ioannis Malafis, Mayor of Chios, Mr. Kyriakos Antonopoulos, Mayor of Skyros, Mr. George Markopoulos, Mayor of Galatsi, Mr. Giannis Fostiropoulos, Mayor of Palaio Faliro, Ms. Maria Markantonaki, representing the Municipality of Alimos, Mr. Athanasios Zekentes, Mayor of Lokroi, Mr. Heraklis Leivadiotis, Mayor of Kassandra, Mr. Spyros Dimou, Deputy Mayor of Glyfada, Mr. Emmanouil Fragkoulis, Mayor of Ierapetra, Mr. Sotiris Kritsotakis, Deputy Mayor of Kalamata, and Mr. Grigoris Konstantellos, Mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and Vice-President of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE).

The participants’ enthusiasm was evident. Following take-off and their return to the port of Kalamata, the mayors had the opportunity to experience the flight first-hand and see in practice how a port can serve as an air access point. For the island municipalities, the experience brought a practical dimension to the discussion on improving air connections with mainland Greece.

Fotis Mangos, Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy

“For residents of small islands, travel times and the frequency of transport services have a direct impact on their access to essential services and their everyday lives. The flight to Kalamata provided a practical example of how seaplanes can complement existing transport connections, particularly in areas where there is a need for improved accessibility.”

Vasilis Politis, Representative of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping

“Today, I felt particularly delighted to have been a passenger on the first test seaplane flight from Pachi Megara Airport to the Port of Kalamata.

Given its extensive coastline, hundreds of islands and significant tourism potential, I believe that Greece has all the necessary prerequisites to develop a modern seaplane network.

This flight represents a meaningful step forward in the effort to develop the concept of seaplane services in Greece, making use of the country’s unique geographical characteristics and the potential to connect coastal areas and remote islands with mainland destinations.

The Athens–Kalamata seaplane connection highlights the opportunities offered by an alternative, flexible and fast mode of transport, with considerable potential to boost tourism development in the region and strengthen regional connectivity with other tourist destinations across the Peloponnese.

It should be stressed, however, that seaplanes cannot, under any circumstances, replace conventional passenger and cargo ferries, given their limited passenger and carrying capacity and the weather conditions that typically prevail in Greek seas. Ferries will continue to remain the essential and effective means of transporting people and goods to and from the Greek islands.”

Ilias Koutivas, President of the Municipal Port Authority of Kalamata

“We were delighted to welcome the seaplane and its passengers to the Port of Kalamata. The arrival from Athens and the flights operated over the two days gave the conference visitors the opportunity to experience an alternative way of accessing our city, one that could make a significant difference for both local residents and visitors alike.”