Hydroplane network will hopefully be operational in the Ionian in 2019
hydroplanes
28 Aug 2018
/ 06:12
CORFU. "It is hoped that the first hydroplane network in the Ionian Islands will be ready in 2019," Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos told SKAI TV channel.
Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos talked about the Ionian hydroplane network on the SKAI TV programme 'Enimerosi' on Sunday morning with Achilleas Topas and Konstantinos Davlos.
In his interview the Governor discussed the benefits that the hydroplane network will bring to the Ionian and also described the efforts being made by the Ionian Islands Regional Administration to overcome bureaucratic red tape and get the water airports in the Ionian Islands licensed, having already been granted rights by each of the port treasuries.
"In 2015 we took the initiative of requesting the rights from the port treasuries to license and construct the water airports. Since that time we have been trying to work something out through all the bureaucracy that unfortunately still exists. Fortunately, however, we are now in the final stages and the licence applications have been properly lodged.
We hope that in 2019 the first hydroplane network in the Ionian will be ready. The new network is an extremely significant development as it will connect the islands, which has not been a simple matter in the region - especially the islands that are only connected via a third port at the moment. Hydroplanes will also play an important role in the development of the tourist economy - the lifeblood of the islands."
The Governor also pointed out that, "There is also the long-term prospect of international flights, which we have been discussing with neighbouring countries such as Italy and Croatia, which already have significant hydroplane networks and waterways."
The CEO of the company Greek Water Airports Anastasios Govas, who was also a guest on the programme, described the importance of hydroplanes in the Ionian region and the efforts that are being made by the Regional Administration so that the network can start operating in spring next year.
"Three water airports have already been licensed - Corfu, Paxos and Patras. The Regional Administration has taken the important step of setting a target of having the other five water airports licensed by spring 2019 - Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Ithaki, Lefkada and Meganisi," said Mr. Govas.
In his interview the Governor discussed the benefits that the hydroplane network will bring to the Ionian and also described the efforts being made by the Ionian Islands Regional Administration to overcome bureaucratic red tape and get the water airports in the Ionian Islands licensed, having already been granted rights by each of the port treasuries.
"In 2015 we took the initiative of requesting the rights from the port treasuries to license and construct the water airports. Since that time we have been trying to work something out through all the bureaucracy that unfortunately still exists. Fortunately, however, we are now in the final stages and the licence applications have been properly lodged.
We hope that in 2019 the first hydroplane network in the Ionian will be ready. The new network is an extremely significant development as it will connect the islands, which has not been a simple matter in the region - especially the islands that are only connected via a third port at the moment. Hydroplanes will also play an important role in the development of the tourist economy - the lifeblood of the islands."
The Governor also pointed out that, "There is also the long-term prospect of international flights, which we have been discussing with neighbouring countries such as Italy and Croatia, which already have significant hydroplane networks and waterways."
The CEO of the company Greek Water Airports Anastasios Govas, who was also a guest on the programme, described the importance of hydroplanes in the Ionian region and the efforts that are being made by the Regional Administration so that the network can start operating in spring next year.
"Three water airports have already been licensed - Corfu, Paxos and Patras. The Regional Administration has taken the important step of setting a target of having the other five water airports licensed by spring 2019 - Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Ithaki, Lefkada and Meganisi," said Mr. Govas.
