Dorita Yiannakou
Cyprus, with its strategic geographical position, has the potential to become a key hub for seaplane routes, both domestically and across the Eastern Mediterranean, according to Nikolas Charalambous, President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes. Speaking on the business segment of the DIASPORA NEWS program on SPOR FM 95.0, Charalambous emphasized that the Cyprus-based company, which has been operating in Greece since 2013, is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and awaiting the right conditions to introduce the first seaplane to Cyprus.
He noted that previous efforts to establish a legal framework under the former government were unsuccessful. However, the issue resurfaced with a bill submitted to Parliament concerning marinas, which also included provisions for setting up seaplane bases in Cyprus. Charalambous stressed that the introduction of seaplanes would open up new transportation routes that currently do not exist, making Cyprus a strategically important market for Hellenic Seaplanes.
While discussing the potential benefits of expanding operations to Cyprus, he said the initiative would improve transportation and tourism. However, he acknowledged that current regional instability is not conducive to an immediate launch.
Regarding the company's activities in Greece, Charalambous noted that the country has a long aviation history, with seaplane operations dating back to 1912. Hellenic Seaplanes operates under various models, drawing inspiration from successful seaplane services in Canada and the Caribbean. The company aims to keep costs affordable, with a half-hour flight from Athens to Tinos priced between €90 and €95.
A key focus for Hellenic Seaplanes is medical air transport. "We are already in discussions with the aircraft manufacturer to enable passenger aircraft to be converted into medical aircraft within 15 minutes, ensuring the necessary conditions for patient transfers," Charalambous stated.
The company has secured licenses for 28 destinations across Greece, including the Ionian Sea, the Aegean, the Sporades, Crete, and the Peloponnese. Key locations served include Corfu, Paxos, Patras, Kalamata, Chania, Sitia, Patmos, Tinos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros, Alexandroupoli, and Samothrace. "Overall, we cover the entire country, and more routes, seaplane bases, and water landing sites will soon be added," Charalambous confirmed.
Looking ahead, he stated that once Hellenic Seaplanes has fully established its network across the Greek islands and coastal regions, the company plans to expand to inland lakes. In the long term, it also aims to extend operations to neighboring countries, including Italy, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia, where demand for seaplane services is growing.
This article was translated from its Greek original.
