A very positive and optimistic meeting took place regarding the development of water airports at the lakes of Western Macedonia, at the offices of Hellenic Seaplanes. The meeting was attended by the Governor of Western Macedonia, Mr. Giorgos Kasapidis, and the representative of the Hellenic Seaplanes & Greek Water Airports association, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes!

During the meeting, Mr. Charalambous outlined the company’s plan for the coordinated actions carried out in collaboration with Greek Water Airports. These efforts are working toward the creation of the largest water airport network in the world, which is growing and evolving daily and is further strengthened by the addition of water airports at the lakes of the country. This issue was prominently featured on the agenda of the meeting held by the CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis, and the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theoharis, in early April.

It is worth noting that, under the initiative of the Governor of Western Macedonia, Mr. Kasapidis, the water airports located in the Western Macedonia region have been included in the regional spatial planning. These water airports concern those at the lakes of Prespa, Kastoria, Vegoritida, Himaditida, and Servia.

The licensing of the majority of water airports in Greece will create an aviation network connecting the lakes with islands and coastal areas, allowing seaplanes to quickly and easily transport both tourists and local residents.

After the meeting regarding the creation of water airports in Western Macedonia, the Governor, Mr. Kasapidis, stated:
“We believe in the value of seaplanes as a means of transportation and we envision the multiple benefits they can bring to our region. We are confident that the lakes of Western Greece, with the creation of water airports on them, will renew and enhance their tourist identity while also offering new transportation options for the residents of the surrounding areas. With the establishment of water airports on the lakes of Western Macedonia, Northern Greece is decisively entering the map of the country’s water airport network, and we aim to start the licensing processes immediately.”

In his statement, the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, said:
“The lakes of Greece occupy a prominent position in our plan, and their supra-regional character allows for easy connectivity between many areas by flying seaplanes. It also offers multiple opportunities for commercial development in the regions that will host water airports on their lakes. The meeting with the Governor of Western Macedonia was particularly fruitful as we were able to immediately identify the processes that need to be set in motion to begin the licensing procedure for five water airports in the region, and we are optimistic that we will see progress soon.”

The lakes of the country serve as a significant hub that allows for organized flights, charter services, and tourism (sightseeing) flights with seaplanes, as well as the opportunity to combine the operation of water airports with airports and ports, creating a complete and efficient infrastructure network.