The island’s plans include the construction of a water airport as well as the creation of water fields for the diversified activities of seaplanes.

A significant meeting was held in a very positive and optimistic atmosphere at the Mytilene City Hall regarding the future of seaplanes in Lesbos and the entire Northern Aegean. The main topic was the licensing and creation of water airports and water fields on the island.

The meeting, initiated by the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Athanasios, was attended by the Mayor of Mytilene, Mr. Stratis Kytelis, the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Efstratios Jimis, the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes S.A., Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, as well as the Vice President of the Parliament himself, who hails from Lesbos.

The meeting began with an extensive reference to the renewed legal framework regarding the establishment, operation, and exploitation of water airports in the country, as well as the necessary actions for the creation of water airports by Hellenic Seaplanes.

The discussion continued with the analysis of the plan for the construction of a water airport in the island’s capital, Mytilene, as well as the licensing of two water fields in the areas of Plomari and the port of Petra. The common goal of the municipal authorities and Hellenic Seaplanes is the year-round operation and activities of seaplanes on Lesbos and the easy connection of the island to the other water airports in the Northern Aegean network (water airports in Chios, Psara, and Oinousses) from multiple points.

Additionally, the licensing and operation of a water airport and water fields in Lesbos serves the plan for the creation of international water airports on the island due to its strategic geographic location and the presence of entry points – Schengen Zone, with the international water airports playing a crucial role in Hellenic Seaplanes’ ambitious investment plan.

The construction of a water airport in Mytilene is a visionary project and a result of the persistence and initiative of the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Athanasios, and the Mayor of Mytilene, Mr. Kytelis, who are diligently working to upgrade and modernize the island’s transportation infrastructure.

Furthermore, the creation of the water airport and the arrival of seaplanes to Lesbos will automatically open new job opportunities for the residents, while many commercial and tourism opportunities will arise from the operational activities of seaplanes with scheduled flights, charters, and tourism (sightseeing) flights. There will also be opportunities to combine the operation of water airports with airports and ports, ensuring a complete and effective infrastructure network.

After the successful conclusion of this meeting, the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament and Member of Parliament for Lesbos, Mr. Charalambos Athanasiou, stated:
“Our government, with planning and responsibility, is preparing for the development of our islands.”

The Mayor of Mytilene, Mr. Stratis Kytelis, said:
“With the help of the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Charalambos Athanasiou, we have strived by all means to create the right infrastructure for the development of our island. We created an Entry Gate – Schengen Zone in Plomari, and we are planning the creation of a Water Airport and Water Fields in our municipality, according to the specialists’ study. With this proposal from Hellenic Seaplanes, we are creating even better conditions for connecting our island with the other islands in the Archipelago, which will increase the development prospects for our island.”

The President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes S.A., Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, stated:
“The meeting held between Hellenic Seaplanes, the Municipal Authority of Mytilene, and the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament was very fruitful as we immediately outlined the timeline for the location of the water airport and water fields on the island. The process of creating the technical files will begin immediately, and we hope to complete it as soon as possible, so we can quickly witness the arrival of seaplanes and the many benefits they will bring to Mytilene and the entire Northern Aegean water airport network.”

Concluding, Mr. Charalambous said:
“Chios, Psara, and Oinousses have already advanced the processes for the construction of their water airports, and Mytilene is now strategically joining this sub-network, which will soon serve thousands of locals and tourists!”

During his visit to Mytilene, Mr. Charalambous also met with the Mayor of Western Mytilene, Mr. Taxiarchis Verros.

During their joint appearance, Mr. Verros guided Mr. Charalambous around the port of Petra, and a joint inspection of the site designated for the location of the water field, where the seaplanes will land, was conducted, starting from the 2023 tourist season.

Regarding the positive developments brought by Mytilene’s inclusion in the Greek water airport network, Mr. Verros commented:

“The water airport and water fields are of utmost importance for our island, and they will provide new dynamics to the transportation methods here as well as to the tourism identity of Mytilene. We are eagerly awaiting the seaplanes, and the good cooperation with Hellenic Seaplanes will certainly bring our vision for seaplanes in Lesbos to its final realization.”