Future of waterways unclear
waterways
29 Jun 2022
/ 10:33
CORFU. The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis said that there has been no interest shown by companies.
Hydroplanes are not taking off - despite years of repeated announcements and optimistic expectations that "the first hydroplanes will fly this year."
In response to a question from Enimerosi, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said the government has done all it can to ensure the legal framework is in place but there has been no interest shown by companies.
"I understand how important it is for the development of tourism on the island that there is an extensive network of waterways as there existed in the past in the Ionian Islands," he said. "The government has done what it had to do. It 'unblocked' a labyrinthine and problematic framework and allowed private companies - those who will use the network - to have private waterdromes. We are available to hear comments and observations from private investors and to help them through the whole process."
The Minister added that the government is willing to find solutions but not to create another state company like Olympic.
"Neither the government nor the regional authority will fly the planes - there needs to be serious interest from investors. You know full well that the framework is in place and we are ready to find solutions but now private companies who are interested must take the next step and at least fund the waterways - we are talking about €20,000. If you don't want to invest €20,000 to create one or two waterways, then there is no real interest.
"We are here to help them. We are a government which wants to help private initiatives - we don't want to create companies like the former Olympic Airways with its state aeroplanes. But private companies need to step forward."
Regional Governor
Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa told Enimerosi that the regional authority wants to proceed with the construction of the necessary infrastructure and waterdromes for the waterways and has already published technical reports.
Along with the initial plan, a solution is being put forward for waterways that will serve scheduled, individual and chartered flights with no more than six return flights per hydroplane company according to the relevant legislation.
In response to a question from Enimerosi, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said the government has done all it can to ensure the legal framework is in place but there has been no interest shown by companies.
"I understand how important it is for the development of tourism on the island that there is an extensive network of waterways as there existed in the past in the Ionian Islands," he said. "The government has done what it had to do. It 'unblocked' a labyrinthine and problematic framework and allowed private companies - those who will use the network - to have private waterdromes. We are available to hear comments and observations from private investors and to help them through the whole process."
The Minister added that the government is willing to find solutions but not to create another state company like Olympic.
"Neither the government nor the regional authority will fly the planes - there needs to be serious interest from investors. You know full well that the framework is in place and we are ready to find solutions but now private companies who are interested must take the next step and at least fund the waterways - we are talking about €20,000. If you don't want to invest €20,000 to create one or two waterways, then there is no real interest.
"We are here to help them. We are a government which wants to help private initiatives - we don't want to create companies like the former Olympic Airways with its state aeroplanes. But private companies need to step forward."
Regional Governor
Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa told Enimerosi that the regional authority wants to proceed with the construction of the necessary infrastructure and waterdromes for the waterways and has already published technical reports.
Along with the initial plan, a solution is being put forward for waterways that will serve scheduled, individual and chartered flights with no more than six return flights per hydroplane company according to the relevant legislation.
