The main topics of discussion were the upcoming sea plane operations for the next tourist season and developments regarding the network of water airports being established in the Northern Aegean.

A meeting took place at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, between the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Michalis Papadopoulos, the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Athanasiou, and the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, regarding all issues related to sea planes and the development of the water airport network in Greece.

During the meeting, all the steps needed to initiate the licensing process for the construction of water airports in the Northern Aegean, specifically on Lesbos and Limnos, were discussed, so that sea plane operations can begin in the near future.

Specifically, the CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes referred to the scheduled flights that will take place this year to the destinations of Alimos, Tinos, and Patmos, the types of sea planes that will be used, and their specifications, as well as all the issues that need to be addressed before sea planes take flight in the Greek skies.

The discussion regarding the water airport network being created in our country focused on the recent submissions by Hellenic Seaplanes of the technical files for the water airports of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses to the relevant authorities of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and also touched on the cases of Limnos, Lesbos, and Agios Efstratios, which have returned dynamically to the forefront for acquiring water airports, with their technical files to be submitted soon.

Special mention was made of the prospect of further strengthening the water airport network in the Northern Aegean Region, specifically for the creation of international water airports in the Lesbos County, where the gateways are located, as part of the investment plan of Hellenic Seaplanes, to advance the licensing process within the next year.

Mr. Athanasiou, after the completion of the meeting, stated:
“Our goal is the development of water airports on our islands, which will then be connected to the rest of the network that is already in the process of implementation. The Mayors of Mytilene Mr. Kytelis, Western Lesbos Mr. Verros, Limnos Mr. Marinakis, and Agios Efstratios Mr. Kakalis, as well as the Regional Governor of Northern Aegean Mr. Moutsouris, from the very beginning, when we set this goal with the Deputy Minister, have supported and assisted in its realization.”

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Papadopoulos, focused on the tourism development of the islands that will acquire water airports:
“Water airports are investments of the utmost importance that will give new dynamics to Greece’s transportation infrastructure and our tourism. A strong network of water airports will serve thousands of Greek and foreign tourists throughout the year while enhancing the tourism identity not only of the destinations that will acquire this infrastructure but of the entire country.”

Statements were also made by the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, who stated:
“With the creation of regional water airport networks like the one planned for the Northern Aegean islands, with Chios, Psara, Oinousses leading the way, and in the second phase in Mytilene, Limnos, and Agios Efstratios, the goal is for sea planes to play a central role in the transportation life of passengers. The creation of a network of water airports highlights the strengths of this new transportation infrastructure, clearly giving new life to the connectivity of all of Greece.”