The first test flights have taken place for Hellenic Seaplanes, a company which is gathering permission to build waterports all across Greece and modernize travel in the process.
The test flight programme centered on familiarising routes around the Sporades archipelago, with Hellenic Seaplanes preparing its flight paths and making efforts to establish waterports in various areas across the southern Aegean.
Four Greek ministers, including health minister Adonis Georgiadis, deputy minister for transport Christina Alexopoulou, deputy citizen protection minister Andreas Nikolakopoulos and deputy minister for maritime affairs and island policy Ioannis Pappas, had the opportunity to fly on the Hellenic Seaplanes aircraft test flights.
The flights, the company claims, give local authorities and the wider world the opportunity to experience the possibilities and advantages of seaplanes. Beginning at the Hellenic Seaplanes base at Megara Airport, the first leg of the test flight journey to the islands was carried out over the Sporades, in particular Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros.
These first flights were attended by the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Marios Themistocleous, the state television crew and the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous.
The content of the training was related to the familiarization of the crews and the operational staff of Hellenic Seaplanes with the Greek seas, carrying out a series of landings in the sea and airspace.
Commenting on the first flights, Mr. Charalambous said “The development of the Hellenic Seaplane industry has been growing through continuous and hard work that we have been making unremittingly for more than a year. We have been working for over a decade to ensure that everything is organized by Hellenic Seaplanes with the start of our trade journeys.”
He continued “We also want to satisfy passengers who will then choose seaplanes for their fast and safe air transportation. Looking at the present, we are happy that the new Aegean destinations have experienced seaplanes up close and personal and we hope that our official flights will soon begin.”
About Hellenic Seaplanes
The company’s website states “Hellenic Seaplanes was established by international funds. We have started vigorously with a team of experts having international experience and by believing that Greece is a great and unique opportunity for the development and operation of seaplanes.”
It continues “The primary objective of the company is the development and creation of proper modern infrastructure (water airports) aiming at the provision of the business support required both for the seaplanes and their facilities.”
“With steady business and strategic steps, our company’s administration proceeded with the creation of a specialized group of executives and of experienced staff ensuring the provision of high quality services in accordance with the acceptable and applicable standards of the International Aviation Industry and regulations for the proper and gradual development of seaplanes in our country.”
