A very positive and optimistic atmosphere characterized the meeting for the development of the network of water airports in the lakes and ports of Central Macedonia, which was held at the offices of the Region. Present at the meeting were the Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure and Networks of Central Macedonia, Mr. Paris Billias, and Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes.

During the meeting, Mr. Charalambous extensively outlined the company’s plan to initiate the licensing processes and create water airports in the districts of Central Macedonia. This plan will include air connections to the lakes and ports of the region, as well as sea plane flights over the lakes of Western Macedonia, the water airport of Lake Pamvotis in Ioannina, and several other water airports in the islands of the Northern Aegean, the Sporades, and Thessaly, with a focus on the regional water airport of Volos.

Full Coverage of the Central Macedonia District with Sea Planes!

The agenda of the discussions also included the addition of 14 new water airports to the regional spatial planning. Specifically, the Central Macedonia network will consist of water airports at the port of Thessaloniki, the port of Nea Epivates in the Thermaic Gulf, Platamonas, Litohoro, the beach of Katerini, the marina of Pydna, the salt marsh of Kalohori, two separate sea plane facilities in Halkidiki, Mount Athos, Asprovalta, and the lakes of Kerkini, Volvi, and Doirani.

Scenic Flights and Religious Tourism at the Heart of Sea Planes

It is noteworthy that the flight plan of Hellenic Seaplanes places particular emphasis on maximizing the utilization of destinations, which goes beyond just conducting organized and chartered flights to these places. Specifically, Hellenic Seaplanes is designing tourist packages for scenic flights over the major sights of Central Macedonia, as well as strengthening religious-pilgrimage tourism with packages that easily and quickly connect interested passengers to Mount Athos and other significant pilgrimage sites and monasteries in Northern Greece.

Regarding the initiation of discussions and procedures for the creation of water airports in Central Macedonia, Deputy Regional Governor Mr. Billias stated:
“Ports and lakes in the districts of Central Macedonia represent a very important hub that can be maximally utilized thanks to the water airports and sea plane services. We are convinced that with the creation of the 14 water airports, the transportation options for the residents of all the districts of Central Macedonia will be expanded and the connection between these areas will be simplified. Northern Greece will support the investment in water airports, and we hope that the licensing procedures will start soon.”

In his statement, the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, said:
“We remain true to our vision for Greece to have the largest network of water airports in the world. This is why we are working intensively on the licensing and creation of water airports wherever possible, whether it’s a coastal area, an island, or a lake. The continuously evolving network of water airports is being strengthened even further today with the addition of the 14 water airports in the Central Macedonia Region. With its determination, the government has marked the start of sea planes in 2022, and necessary actions will be taken by all stakeholders so that we will soon be talking about the beginning of licensing procedures at the ports and lakes of Macedonia. The goal is to turn local residents and tourists in these areas into sea plane passengers.”