Author Topic: Kef seaplane summer service?  (Read 24125 times)

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Offline Maik

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Kef seaplane summer service?
« on: Monday, 25 January, 2016 @ 18:26:40 »
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Ionian islands to welcome seaplanes in the summer

The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) in cooperation with the Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Ministry and the Shipping and Island Policy Ministry are planning to grant immediately licences for the construction of waterways on the islands of Paxoi, Zakynthos, Cephalonia and Lefkada as well as in Patras aiming to create the first network of waterways in Greece.
http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/14215-ionian-islands-to-welcome-seaplanes-in-the-summer.html


Let's hope it fares better than AirSea Lines:

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AirSea Lines was an airline based in Gouvia, Corfu, Greece. It was the first scheduled services seaplane operator in Greece in recent years... The airline ceased operations in 2008, citing bureaucratic and infrastructure hurdles.

From May 2010 AirSea Lines will also operate in Kefalonia, Greece in a new route

    Poros, Kefalonia, Greece -> Patras, Greece
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirSea_Lines

Had plans to land(?) / take off from the sea behind the old bus station in Argostoli but that never happened, briefly ran a service from Kef airport to Patras but the ticket price was high and the timings not much use (IMO).

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 @ 12:37:39 »
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Tasos Govas, the president of Water Airports, the company which operates the waterway on Corfu, said that the goal is to have five to six licensed waterways in the Ionian in order for a fully operational network to function in Greece for seaplane companies to be able to form flight programs.

Over the next two months, the waterway in Patra, which has a strategic importance for the wider region of Western Greece, is expected to receive its license for operation.

According to Mr Govas, the waterways on the other Ionian islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada should be licensed within the next three months.
http://news.gtp.gr/2016/01/25/waterway-network-in-the-ionian-expected-soon/

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #2 on: Monday, 21 March, 2016 @ 20:14:39 »
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Ionian Islands plan first water airport network in Greece

Ionian Islands Regional Authority plans to spend around 200,000 euros to build the necessary infrastructure in ports and to approve licensing of four new water airports in Cephalonia, Ithaka, Lefkada and Meganisi, after approving licenses for Corfu and Paxi islands.

Theodore Galiatsatos, regional authority in Ionian Islands, speaking to ANA-MPA said the Ionian Islands Regional Authority will soon have the first water airports network in Greece.
http://www.amna.gr/english/article/13291/Ionian-Islands-plan-first-water-airport-network-in-Greece

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #3 on: Thursday, 09 February, 2017 @ 16:53:13 »
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Still No Progress in Greek Waterway Saga

Waterway plans and projects across Greece are still up in the air with leading investor Hellenic Seaplanes warning that if a sufficient number of waterways is not licensed in the upcoming summer season then “hydroplanes will never make it to Greece”.
http://news.gtp.gr/2017/02/08/no-progress-in-greek-waterway-saga/

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday, 22 February, 2017 @ 16:58:24 »
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Ionian water airports closer to takeoff

Deputy Minister for Shipping and island Policy Nektarios Santorinios informed the Hellenic Union of Heptanisians on Monday that following the issuing of operating licenses for the water airports on Corfu and Paxi, the licensing process for the Patra water aerodrome has advanced considerably.

He added that his ministry is about to propose legislation regarding seaplane ports on the other Ionian islands too.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/216394/article/ekathimerini/business/ionian-water-airports-closer-to-takeoff

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday, 10 May, 2017 @ 14:12:36 »
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Patra Waterway Gets Go-ahead, Seeking Operator

The waterway in Patra is now the third to receive approval, paving the way for the launch of an invitation of interest in order to find the contractor who will take over its operation as well as the entity which will oversee the completion of the work.

The Patra waterway is the third to get the go-ahead following a ministerial decision this week and comes after Corfu and Paxi.
http://news.gtp.gr/2017/05/09/patra-waterway-gets-go-ahead-seeking-operator/


No more news of a Kef connection, but if ever it does get off the ground, er, the water, at least the service has somewhere to go.

Offline TonyKath

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #6 on: Friday, 12 May, 2017 @ 18:04:46 »
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Patra Waterway Gets Go-ahead, Seeking Operator
...
No more news of a Kef connection, but if ever it does get off the ground, er, the water, at least the service has somewhere to go.

 :lol: :lol:

Could make quite a splash!  ;)

Tony

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #7 on: Monday, 15 May, 2017 @ 18:28:29 »
No mention of Kef but the idea, as a whole, seems to be treading water...

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Seaplane routes to Greek isles, coastal resorts again resurfaces

A decades-old idea to commence regular seaplane routes towards Greece's numerous islands and even coastal resorts appears to have resurfaced over the recent period, with nascent operators reportedly in talks with a commercial carrier to offer supplementary air travel to the latter's passengers.

Linking islands and coastal cities without commercial airports via seaplanes has been a recurring prospect over the past 15 years or so, although red tape - initially - combined with non-viable operating costs prevented the idea from taking off.

The reported talks come ahead of the tabling of yet another bill allowing for the operation of seaplane facilities and corridors in the country.

According to sources close to the talks, the idea is to establish a "feeder line" between the commercial airline and seaplane operators.
http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1235436/seaplane-routes-to-greek-isles-coastal-resorts-again-resurfaces

Offline TonyKath

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #8 on: Monday, 15 May, 2017 @ 20:45:06 »
The whole thing could stall again but it's not worth getting in a flap over. 

Tony  ;)

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #9 on: Saturday, 15 July, 2017 @ 11:50:48 »
The idea could be taking off, Tony:

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Four years and three months after a law was passed regarding strategic and private investments to accelerate licensing for seaplane bases, this market remains on paper.

However, government sources say that in the coming months the final draft of the bill regarding seaplane airports will be tabled in Parliament.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/220096/article/ekathimerini/business/draft-law-in-the-works-for-developing-seaplane-bases

...whether it'll ever take off on/from Kef...

Offline TonyD

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #10 on: Saturday, 15 July, 2017 @ 14:11:43 »
Wonder how the new, more commercially adept airport operators feel about any possible competition to their recently purchased monopolies?

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #11 on: Saturday, 15 July, 2017 @ 23:08:04 »
Hm, not sure they're in the same market. Fraport's dealing with big 'planes bringing hundreds of people in each time, rather akin to the Italy-Patras ferries. The seaplane service is more akin to the Sami-PisoAetos ferry. Put it another way, Fraport wants to sell burgers and perfume to hundreds of people every hour, I'll be surprised if the seaplane service sells much more than croissants and cola. Maybe they can complement, rather than compete, with one-another. Be interesting to see if you can fly UK-Kef for less cost than, say, Kef-Kerkyra.


Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #12 on: Thursday, 02 November, 2017 @ 02:46:43 »
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Mitsui to launch seaplane services in western Greece

Japanese conglomerate Mitsui intends to create an extensive network of seaplane services in western Greece in cooperation with Hellenic Water Airports, starting in the spring, following test flights in the last few days off between Corfu and nearby Ionian islands.

Besides the already licensed water airports of Corfu, Paxi and Patra, among the other destinations being considered are Lefkada, Meganissi, Ioannina and Igoumenitsa.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/222883/article/ekathimerini/business/mitsui-to-launch-seaplane-services-in-western-greece

 :hmm: No mention of Kef. Or Zakynthos.

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday, 29 November, 2017 @ 12:47:54 »
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Fund eyes up to 250 mln€ investment for long-elusive seaplane network in Greece

Petrichor Capital Partners this week announced that it is considering an investment of up to 250 million euros in Greece over the next two years in order to develop a seaplane network, especially towards islands without airports.
http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1299620/fund-eyes-up-to-250-mln-investment-for-long-elusive-seaplane-network-in-greece

Hm, wonder if Ithaki might be of interest, given its on/off ferry service to the mainland.

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #14 on: Wednesday, 28 March, 2018 @ 14:02:04 »
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Greece’s Seaplanes Network Still in ‘Planning’ Phase

For almost a decade, an ambitious plan to connect the Greek islands by seaplanes has failed to take off due to red tape and government foot-dragging.

According to reports, of the 25 applications for waterway projects only three have moved ahead to the next phase (on Corfu, Paxi and Patra) despite the implementation of the relevant legal framework five years ago.

Meanwhile, a draft bill covering license procedures, construction and operation of waterways is still on the drawing board putting off any potential investments in the sector.

According to experts, in order for a hydroplane operation to be viable, at least five hourly flights must be carried out per day, which is currently not possible as there is no network in place.

In the meantime, waterways on the islands of Corfu and Paxi to be linked with mainland Patra, scheduled to operate some two years ago, will not run this summer despite receiving licensing.
https://news.gtp.gr/2018/03/27/greeces-seaplanes-network-still-planning-phase

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #15 on: Tuesday, 21 August, 2018 @ 02:31:15 »
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Waterways company Water Airports SA submitted this week to the transport ministry the relevant documentation for the management of waterways on Lefkada and Meganissi.

The plans drawn up by Water Airports include operation, security and emergency action details as well as a business outline, maps and charts. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Ionian Islands Region.

Ionian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos said he also expected documentation would soon be submitted for facilities on the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaki.
https://news.gtp.gr/2018/08/20/lefkada-meganissi-waterways-documentation-submitted/

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #16 on: Monday, 10 September, 2018 @ 19:29:22 »
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Ministry finally tabled draft bill establishing legal framework for seaplane routes in Greece

Destinations in the Ionian Sea, off the western coast of mainland Greece, are expected to commence next May.
https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1389892/ministry-finally-tabled-draft-bill-establishing-legal-framework-for-seaplane-routes-in-greece


Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #17 on: Tuesday, 11 December, 2018 @ 22:18:18 »
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Funding approved for four new Ionian island water airports in Greece

The Ionian Islands Regional Council approved funding amounting to 560,000 euros for the construction of water airports in Lefkada, Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca, during an extraordinary meeting that took place on Monday, according to ANA.

The approval came after a central decision to increase regional funds destined for infrastructure projects.
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/33699-funding-approved-for-four-new-ionian-island-water-airports-in-greece.html

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #18 on: Saturday, 03 August, 2019 @ 21:23:30 »
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Minister pledges seaplane flights by next summer

Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis has expressed certainty that Greece will have an operational fleet of seaplanes by next summer.

Speaking to Skai TV on Saturday, Georgiadis insisted that “at this time next year we will be flying seaplanes – this is final.”
http://www.ekathimerini.com/243280/article/ekathimerini/business/minister-pledges-seaplane-flights-by-next-summer

Hm, doesn't mention how many, or where. Or if they'll be affordable.  :dunno:

Offline suej

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #19 on: Monday, 05 August, 2019 @ 15:20:52 »
 :dunno: we've been hearing this for years. When it happens I will believe it :flyer:

Offline expat

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #20 on: Monday, 05 August, 2019 @ 21:13:52 »

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #21 on: Saturday, 14 December, 2019 @ 12:49:32 »
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Draft law on seaplane transport launched for public consultation

The infrastructure and transport ministry on Friday unveiled for public consultation, lasting until December 27, a draft law on waterways that aims at the immediate reactivation of seaplane transport in Greece.
https://www.amna.gr/en/article/415496/Draft-law-on-seaplane-transport-launched-for-public-consultation

"Immediate"... is that like when you're in a taverna and the waiter takes your order then says, 'immediately'?

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #22 on: Tuesday, 13 April, 2021 @ 09:07:45 »
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Grecian Air to launch seaplane service connecting islands

Grecian Air Seaplanes said on Monday it will launch seaplane flights in September, connecting islands to the mainland after the first seaports were licenced to operate after years of bureaucratic delays.

The company said it plans to start flights with three 19-seater seaplanes from seaports at the Ionian Sea in western Greece and gradually grow its fleet of aircraft.
https://www.reuters.com/article/greece-transport-seaplanes/grecian-air-to-launch-seaplane-service-connecting-islands

No mention of which three Ionian islands and September seems a strange time to start, missed the peak tourist season. I guess we'll believe it when it happens...

Offline Maik

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Re: Kef seaplane summer service?
« Reply #23 on: Thursday, 19 January, 2023 @ 04:40:19 »
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Why aren’t seaplanes flying?

How many years will it be before seaplanes start flying in Greece? The answer is difficult. Since 2009 for all governments the return of amphibious aircraft, which can shrink the time needed to travel from Patra to Ioannina to about half an hour, has been a priority.

In 2009, Greek-Canadian Michael Patellis’ AirSea Lines was forced to stop flights after four years of activity, which caused financial losses. Since then, seaplanes have flown only once again, in the summer of 2013, from Brindisi to Corfu. After this pilot flight in the context of a European co-financed project, it seemed certain that seaplanes – at least in the Ionian Sea – would return in 2014. Those expectations are constantly shifting, with the new time line now set, possibly for this year’s summer season, if not for the summer of 2024. So what has been keeping water aircraft out of the air?
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1202541/why-arent-seaplanes-flying/