According to Hellenic Seaplanes, an extensive network of waterways and water fields has already been formed, with each infrastructure project at a different readiness stage and pilot flights just around the corner.
The test flights will start through organized and charter flights from the Corfu watercourse to Paxos and the other cooperating airports and watercourses.
Along with the passenger air transport flights, sightseeing flights will also start, with an aerial tour of the attractions of Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Diapontian islands (Othonoi), offering new tourist experiences to the visitors of the Northern Ionian and Western Greece.
The start of flights to the Ionian Islands brings a domino effect of developments, with the closest waterways taking priority to be immediately operational. The water park of Patras, which already has an operating license, is leading the race. In contrast, the water parks of Kyllini and Kalamata, where there were recently developed land facilities, are next in line to bring seaplanes to the Peloponnese. The ports of Ermionida, Monemvasia, Nafplio, Nea Kios, and Gytheio will soon be added to this network so that it is sustainable, offering multiple air transport options.
In the Sporades and Sterea Ellada, the plan is steadily progressing so that the waterways of Skyros, with fully developed land and water facilities, as well as Skopelos and Alonissos, are in line listed to have an operating license issued. Tinos and Patmos are also on the same track.
As for the construction permit projects' portfolio undertaken by Hellenic Seaplanes, following the permits issued in Volos, Kymi, Aliveri, and Edipsos, the waterways in Sitia, Amfilochia, Chios, Psara, Oinousses, Karystos, and Chalkida take place, for which a KYA is pending to be drawn up by the relevant ministries. At the same time, the case of Sifnos is still open.
According to the company, Sitia and the water fields of Psara, Petra Lesvos, and Chios in the North Aegean islands have already been comprised in their portfolio. It has an enhanced presence, particularly in the Sporades, with licensed seaplane stations in Skopelos and Alonissos, making a solid bid to host the first organized flights in the Aegean!
Patmos is the first approved water field in the Dodecanese, while the corresponding infrastructure of Amfilochia has long been ready to serve the connection with Patras and the Ionian Islands.
The Cyclades took the lead in the Aegean, with the island of Tinos officially obtaining a water field. In particular, the approval of the infrastructure is an essential milestone for Hellenic Seaplanes, since it will facilitate the air operation of seaplanes on the island, a destination that lacks an airport, and there is a severe passengers' need for air transportation.
There are also numerous other destinations for which Hellenic Seaplanes is advancing licensing proceeds. The list comprises the ports of Oinousses, Tinos, Sifnos, Alimos, Plomari Lesvos, Eretria, Kymi, Chalkida, Karystos and Edipsos in Evia, Sami in Kefalonia.
In eastern Crete, the approval of the water field in Sitia gives the big island's waterways network a boost required to support seaplane flights in time.
The location of the sea corridors in Sitia allows for interconnection with other facilities, including Ierapetra and Kissamos. At the same time, mobility is expected to jump for routes to infrastructure in the Dodecanese and other Aegean destinations with the completion of the Sitia waterway.
