Deputy Infrastructure and Transport Minister and other high-ranking officials flew in the first test flight with a seaplane on Saturday. The test flight was carried out by Hellenic Seaplanes on Saturday and the plane took off from the Lavrio seaplane field.
Operation of hydroplanes and the development of a network of seaplane bases has been a long-standing goal of New Democracy government but without sucess, s far.it has not materialized so far.
“By this summer, services will have started to Western Greece, specifically the Patras-Corfu-Paxi line will be fully active given that these sea bases are all licensed,” Deputy Transport Minister Christina Alexopouloushe said.
The government sees in the hydroplanes operation a great opportunity to enhances tourism to the island.
Hydroplanes will “give the opportunity to more visitors to visit the islands comfortably, not only for tourism purposes but also for business matters and even for health. Seaplanes can help significantly in this direction, especially in our remote islands when difficult weather conditions prevail,” Deputy Shipping Minister Yiannis Pappas said on his part.
