Greece has been stepping up its efforts to obtain a viable and extensive network of seaplanes across its coast and islands.
Now, the country is on the verge of launching an ambitious new step to its seaplane network that promises to change the way people travel between its mainland and the numerous islands, which attract millions of visitors every year.
Hellenic Seaplanes, the leading operator in this initiative, has completed successful test flights connecting the popular Sporades islands of Skopelos, Alonissos as well as Skyros, marking a significant step towards the realization of this visionary transportation method.
The new investment in Greece’s seaplane network
The €250 million investment plan includes €200 million for aviation operations and €50 million for waterway infrastructure that will host the seaplanes.
The network aims to establish water airports across 35 strategic locations throughout Greece, ranging from coastal areas to islands and even inland lakes on the mainland of the country.
The three new destinations that were cleared to start hosting sea planes were the port city of Volos in central Greece, the southern city of Kalamata and the island of Skyros.
Kalamata aims to be a southern hub that could connect the Peloponnese with the island of Crete and the Ionian islands on the West.
There are also plans to connect some of the numerous cruise ships that visit Greece with these seaplanes to offer an even better experience to visitors.
However, the ambitious project faces some operational challenges, as weather conditions could impact service reliability, particularly in locations like the Aegean islands, where high winds might prevent landings for up to 120 days annually.
To address this, operators are developing alternative approach strategies and selecting sheltered locations for waterways where possible.
Athens to host Greece’s seaplanes hub
Recently it was announced that seaplanes are returning to Athens and its southern suburb of Alimos was chosen to to become a hub for the aircraft.
The Hellenic Navy General Staff along with other relevant authorities for the maritime zone of Alimos, situated on the coastal area of the Athens Riviera, issued the necessary license for the operation of seaplanes.
What are seaplanes
Seaplanes a powered fixed-wing aircraft that have been designed to take off from and land on water rather than on land.
There are two main types of seaplanes (also known as hydroplanes, particularly in Greece). The floatplanes use pontoons for buoyancy and the ”flying boats”, where the fuselage itself acts as a hull.
Some seaplanes are also called ”amphibious aircraft.” These can also operate on land using retractable landing gear, making them exceptionally versatile.
Seaplanes are normally used for accessing remote areas like small islands or remote inland areas with lakes. They are also used for aerial firefighting, search-and-rescue missions and even coastal surveillance.
