Next Steps for Crete Waterway Network and Seaplane Ports

The Greek island of Crete is swiftly moving forward with procedures to launch works on a waterway network and seaplane ports, Greek Water Airports announced this week.

More specifically, the company submitted documentation to receive licensing for the establishment of a waterway at Agia Galini in Rethymno.

At the same time, the Rethymno Port Authority has named Greek Water Airports (Ellinika Ydatodromia) as the contractor, the company said. Greek Water Airports has already completed the licensing of the first three waterways in Greece, those of Corfu, Paxi, and Patra to be followed by establishment permits for waterways in Rethymno and on Ios.

Commenting on the news, Rethymno Port Authority President Eirini Koutsaledaki said: “It is the first in Southern Crete… A waterway network is very important for tourism, interconnecting ports and creating a network of destinations which is particularly encouraging for the development of the country”.

In the meantime, the Chania Port Authority also agreed to the creation of a seaplane port at Kissamos Port selecting Greek Water Airports as the contractor of the project.

According to the company’s press release, with the addition of Rethymno and Chania, Crete is getting closer to the creation of an extensive network of waterways as licensing procedures are also moving ahead for the areas of Ierapetra, Hersonissos, Chania, Heraklio, Sitia, Malevizi, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Phaistos, Plakias as well as at a number of seaside hotels.

“The forthcoming operation of waterways and seaplanes on Crete will be a useful tool for the further development of quality tourism. The flexibility and speed seaplane transport will enable tourists to go on excursions both to destinations in Crete and to nearby islands, increasing their choice,” said Greek Water Airports Founder and Managing Director Anastasios Govas. He added that seaplanes could also carry out sightseeing flights for cruise passengers when cruise ships make port calls.