Skyros: Seaplane Port Almost Ready, Operator Installs Passenger Terminal

A view of the passenger terminal for arrivals and departures at Skyros seaplane port. Photo source: Hellenic Seaplanes

A seaplane port on the island of Skyros to connect with an island and mainland waterway network is almost ready, according to operating company Hellenic Seaplanes.

The company announced that it had placed a small passenger terminal for arrivals and departures at Skyros seaplane port. Once the equipment and technologies are installed, the transport ministry will inspect the port so the licensing procedure can proceed.

According to Nikolas Charalambous, president and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, the company is aiming to launch test runs and to create the first sustainable seaplane network serving the Sporades islands. Similar seaplane ports are in the pipeline for Alonissos and Skopelos after port authorities there submitted documentation for approval.

Hellenic Seaplane is aiming to be the first in Greece to offer hydroplane connections to the Cyclades, Dodecanese islands and Crete.

Currently dozens of seaplane port projects are underway while many more destinations have submitted documents for licensing, including Rhodes, Santorini, Kos, Donousa, Serifos, and Kythnos. The South Aegean waterway will include 16 seaplane ports in the Dodecanese islands and 14 on the Cyclades.

Interior of the passenger terminal at Skyros seaplane port. Photo source: Hellenic Seaplanes

Earlier this month, the transport ministry said it would be moving forward with licensing procedures for seaplane ports in the seaside towns of Karystos and Halkida on Evia, after awarding Aliveri and Edipsos relevant permits.

The Skyros Port Authority was the first in Greece to announce a seaplane port tender in 2013-2014.