The restrictions arising from the “Coronavirus Pandemic” imposed globally, along with the domino effect they bring to many sectors, including transportation, may prevent Hellenic Seaplanes from making a dynamic entry into the summer season of 2020. However, the company remains committed to pursuing hydroplane flights in Greek waters within 2020.
The company’s goal of activating the hydroplane market within the Greek transportation sector is also driven by another factor: the timely measures against the spread of the pandemic implemented by the Greek Government, as well as the serious and widespread response from the citizens. This fact has not gone unnoticed and has been praised by international media, frequently highlighting the safety and stability of Greece during this period, in comparison to other Mediterranean countries in a particularly dire situation.
“We will continue to build upon and leverage what we have achieved so far to ensure that our plans for 2020 are executed with consistency,” said Mr. Nikolaos Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes.
Significant progress has been made in updating the technical files for water airports across the network, in accordance with the new law, with the first results being promptly submitted by the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport’s water airport evaluation service, despite the challenges and disruptions caused by the pandemic. Government actions do not stop here. A few days ago, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority approved the content of the training program, procedures, certification type, and training for water airport staff, which was published in the Government Gazette.
In addition to the immediate response regarding the evaluation of water airports, the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport, through Deputy Minister Mr. Kefalogiannis, clarified the licensing procedures for water airports, environmental issues, and the necessary approvals in a recent explanatory circular, accelerating the implementation timeline for the network.
Hellenic Seaplanes, fully in line with the content of the new law on the establishment and operation of water airports (v.4663/2020), has completed the update of the technical files for the projects it has undertaken so far and has submitted them to the Ministry for the following water airports:
- Volos Port Authority S.A.
- Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A.
- Kalamata Municipal Port Fund
- Skyros Water Airport
- Tinos Water Airport
- Sitia Water Airport
- Chios Water Airport
- Amfilochia Water Airport
Simultaneously, the first phase of the 21 water airports from the Southern Aegean Region tender has been completed, and the licensing of the water airports in Nafplio and Nea Kios is progressing. The technical files for five water airports of the Evia Port Authority, specifically in Halkida, Aidipsos, Karystos, Aliveri, and Kymi, are now in their final stage.
Furthermore, in a related announcement, the processes for the implementation of the water airport network in the Ionian Islands Region are expected to begin in the coming days.
In a television interview, Mr. Nikolaos Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, discussed the delays caused by the coronavirus in the arrival of hydroplanes to Greece:
“The modern world is experiencing unprecedented circumstances with the coronavirus pandemic, and the business world could not escape this. Regarding our sector (the hydroplane sector), the government’s effort to support the hydroplane industry was sealed with the passage of the relevant bill, and Hellenic Seaplanes must follow its plan, despite the delays and objective difficulties, with the sole goal of resuming hydroplane flights in Greece within 2020.”
It is worth mentioning that Hellenic Seaplanes’ plan, in addition to addressing the necessary procedures for the water airports, extends to the reservation system, which is currently undergoing pilot testing and upgrades. The ultimate goal is to make it available soon through the company’s website. New strategic partnerships are also being developed with tourist companies for joint creation of tour packages, with transportation companies, health sector companies, as well as partners who will integrate new applications and services into the hydroplanes and water airports.
