Another round of Seaplane routes are being planned for remote Greek islands, part of an ongoing pilot programme promoted by the transport and merchant marine ministries.

In fact, a test flight to the eastern Aegean island of Psara with Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis and Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyannis on board was held Friday.

The intention is to establish a network of 30-40 seaplanes that will meet the air travel needs of remote Greek islands, linking them with major tourist hubs such as Piraeus, the island of Corfu, Patras, Irakleio on Crete, Volos, Syros, the island of Rhodes and Thessaloniki, according to the government. 

In a related development, European Commission vice-president and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot reportedly had a positive reaction to a recent proposal tabled by Kefaloyannis requesting subsidised seaplane routes to small islander, Antikythira, Anafi, Psara and others.

Liapis stressed that the transport ministry has prepared the necessary legal framework laying out the rules for the operation of seaplane carriers and landing zones.

Source: Athens News Agency

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