Seaplane Flights to Kick Off from Corfu in Spring, Investor Says

Cessna Caravan C-208, the first passenger seaplane of Hellenic Seaplanes. Photo source: Hellenic Seaplanes

Highly-anticipated seaplane flights are scheduled to kick off from Corfu in the spring, announced the project’s key investor Hellenic Seaplanes this week.

According to the company, seaplanes will carry out flights for transport, charters and sightseeing tours. Flights from Corfu will initially make stops at Paxi, Antipaxi and the Diapontian Islands, an island cluster in the Ionian Sea.

Hellenic Seaplanes said the spring launch is part of wider efforts to kickstart the entire waterway network in the summer of 2024.

To mark the occasion, island officials inspected the seaplane port and terminal on Corfu this week. Company executives also met with Corfu port authorities and with Greek Water Airports Founder and Managing Director Anastasios Govas, with whom they discussed the possibility of offering site-seeing tours to cruise passengers as part of shore excursion programs. Govas is also the representative of “North Ionian Waterways Ltd”, the operating body of Corfu and Paxi waterways.

The goal, the company said, is to offer daily flights on Cessna Caravan 208C planes for 12 passengers to and from the neighboring Ionian islands.

Inspection at the Corfu waterway by Nicolas Charalambous (Hellenic Seaplanes), Spyridon Zervopoulos (Corfu Port Authority), Anastasios Govas (North Ionian Waterways Ltd). Photo source: Hellenic Seaplanes

“Setting into motion the Corfu waterway is an important development for island tourism offering a new and attractive option to visitors and locals. In particular to cruise passengers with flights contributing to an enhanced tourism experience while giving Corfu a competitive edge over other destinations,” said Corfu Port Authority CEO Spyridon Zervopoulos.

Also commenting on the news, Hellenic Seaplanes Chairman and Managing Director Nicolas Charalambous said flights will offer tourists and cruise passengers a unique aerial sightseeing experience and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscapes from above. He went on to refer to the benefits for local communities and his hopes that the Corfu flights will pave the way for other seaplanes flights across Greece.