Ioannina aims to become Greece’s “Lake Como” when seaplanes return … The first seaplane test flight on this historic lake was a great success, giving the vision of establishing links regular flights with other destinations in Greece, but also abroad, such as Albania.
Hellenic Seaplanes, a seaplane pioneer, plans to revive the waterway of Ioannina, connecting the city to Corfu, Paxos, the Diapontian Islands, and now to destinations in Albania. Gradually, flights will be extended to other destinations, making Ioannina a hub for international air connections.
The first test flights were successfully carried out on 24-26 September, with de-fishing and re-fishing taking place at the facilities of the Naval Club of Ioannina. Residents of Ioannina and Epirus had the opportunity to see the flights up close, experiencing the new chapter that is opening for their city.
The President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nikolas Charalambous, said: “The establishment and operation of a waterway in Ioannina and the interconnection with the Ionian Islands, the coastal municipalities of western Greece and Albania will bring a new development perspective to the area These expectations are based on strengthening the tourism, commercial and industrial output of the country, through the introduction of a new, flexible and safe means of transport. Seaplanes have been tested for several decades in many foreign countries and it has been proven that they can be a reliable solution for both countries as an additional transport option.”
The Regional Governor of Epirus, Mr. Alexandros Kahrimanis, said: “The operation of the seaplanes is a dynamic way of decommissioning Ioannina, strengthening tourist traffic throughout Epirus and creating new opportunities for local entrepreneurship. Ioannina and Pamvotida enter the map of alternative means of transport and tourism”.
The Deputy Mayor for the Development of Trade, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Ioannina, Mr. Christos Tatsis, said: “The return of seaplanes to our location is an important development for Ioannina. The seaplane project will upgrade our infrastructure and offer alternative transport options for our citizens and visitors. Ioannina is once again becoming a hub for important air connections, and we are proud to see our city return to the center of the map with seaplanes. This initiative opens up new perspectives for tourism and the economic development of our region.”
The Member of Parliament of Ioannina, Mrs. Maria Kefala, said: “The return of seaplanes to Lake Pamvotida and their connection to destinations in the rest of Greece is expected to strengthen tourist traffic and boost the local economy. The Pamvotida lake watershed is expected to be completed soon, and in the meantime flights will be maintained through the Ioannina airport. It is expected that the development of this new form of transport will contribute to the tourism and economic growth of the area.”
Finally, the member of the Union of Hotels of the Prefecture of Ioannina, Mr. Stathis Sioutis, said: “Seaplanes are a proven and reliable transport option, especially because of their safety and flexibility. They stand out for their flexibility, they are environmentally friendly and they are compatible with other means of transport such as ships and private boats. Watercourse activities on Lake Ioannina will add value to the area, offering a new, attractive way for visitors to travel and connect with tourist destinations, such as Corfu, Patras and Paxos, with the prospect of expansion to Croatia, Albania and Italy. “
