
Decades of Sisyphean-like efforts to commence regular seaplane or float plane routes in Greece appear on the verge of becoming a reality, with practice runs conducted on Friday by the company expected to inaugurate this type of sorely needed transport in the country.
According to reports, a Hellenic Seaplanes DHC-6 Twin Otter touched down in the water off the Sporades islands of Skopelos and Alonissos, as well as further away Skyros, all in the west-central part of the Aegean.
Nine water airports are now licensed and ready in the country, with another seven locations licensed and under construction. More than two dozen water airports are undergoing the licensing certification, including numerous island destinations.
The primary mainland amphibious plane airport is west of Athens proper, along the coast of Megara municipality (Pachi site) in the western Saronic Gulf.
Among the passengers of Friday’s first seaplane test flights were Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous, a state broadcaster (ERT) television crew and Hellenic Seaplanes Managing Director Nicolas Charalambous.
Although Greece has numerous airports, many island destinations are without such facility, meaning that regular visitors can only arrive and depart by a sea vessel. Quite a few popular coastal sites on the mainland also look forward to seaplane routes. At least two lakeside cities on the mainland, Ioannina and Kastoria, both in northwest and northern mountainous Greece, also also candidates for seaplane routes, although the former hosts a national airport.
Source: tovima.com


Latest News

Airbnb Greece – Initial CoS Ruling Deems Tax Circular Unlawful
The case reached the Council of State following annulment applications filed by the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA)

Mitsotakis Unveils €1 Billion Plan for Housing, Pensioners, Public investments
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a new set of economic support measures, worth 1 billion euros, aiming to provide financial relief to citizens.

Alter Ego Ventures Invests in Pioneering Gaming Company ‘Couch Heroes’
Alter Ego Ventures' participation in the share capital of Couch Heroes marks yet another investment by the Alter Ego Media Group in innovative companies with a focus on technology.

Corruption Still Plagues Greece’s Driving Tests
While traffic accidents continue to claim lives on Greek roads daily, irregularities and under-the-table dealings in the training and testing of new drivers remain disturbingly widespread

Pope Francis Died of Stroke and Heart Failure Vatican Confirms
As news of the official cause of death spread, tributes poured in from across the globe. The 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church is united in grief, remembering a pope who championed inclusion, justice, and compassion

Increase in Both Museum Visits, Revenues for 2024
As expected, the Acropolis was the top archeological site in the country, followed by Sounion, Mycenae, the ancient theater of Epidaurus, and Vergina in northern Greece

Where Greece’s Tourists Come From: A Look at 2025’s Top Visitor Markets
The United Kingdom continues to hold the top spot as the largest source of incoming tourism, with 5.6 million seats booked for Greece this summer — up 2.2% from last year. This accounts for 20% of all international air traffic to Greece

Pope Francis: A Pontiff Who Reshaped the Papacy and Sparked a Global Conversation
His first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica—“Brothers and sisters, good evening”—set the tone for a pontificate that would challenge norms, favor mercy over dogma, and bring the papacy closer to the people.

When Blue Skies was Unmasked as ND’s Political ‘Slush Fund’
The fact that so many top New Democracy (ND) party cadres were paid by the firm Blue Skies, owned by Thomas Varvitsiotis and Yiannis Olympios, without ever citing this publicly, raises very serious moral issues, regardless of the legality

Greek Women’s Water Polo Team Top in the World after 13-9 Win Over Hungary
The Greek team had previously defeated another tournament favorite, the Netherlands, to reach the final.