With the approval of the relevant permit and its co-signing by all the relevant ministries, the establishment of the Kalamata waterway has been finalized. This is yet another link in the chain of the waterway network that will connect the mainland, lakes, ports, the Aegean Islands, and the Ionian Islands, extending all the way to the southern Peloponnese. In fact, according to the relevant press release from Hellenic Seaplanes, the company responsible for obtaining the seaplane base’s operating license, the flight schedule the company is preparing may include a connection between the seaplane base and Kythira.
Read the full press release:
The licensing of the Kalamata waterway is the result of a long-standing effort that began under the previous mayor, Mr. Nika, who is now the Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, and is taking shape under the current mayor, Mr. Vasilopoulos, who aims to connect the Greek islands with the city of Kalamata. A network with dozens of seaplane bases that will connect mainland Greece, lakes, and ports, the Aegean Islands, the Ionian Islands, and will extend all the way to the southern Peloponnese, to Kalamata. Undoubtedly, this is a massive project of vision and development that will connect Greece with all its ports and lakes, working in tandem with the country’s other transportation networks, which will soon connect it to the rest of its neighboring countries.
The approval of the license for the Kalamata waterway and its co-signing by all the relevant ministries further reinforces the positive atmosphere that has developed following the simplification—through an amendment—of the procedures for waterways, by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
With the official announcement of the Joint Ministerial Decision, the establishment of the waterway in the capital of Messinia has been finalized, which means that it can now move on to the next stage of construction of its facilities.
Η Hellenic Seaplanes, the company responsible for licensing the waterway now has the opportunity to significantly strengthen the Greece's waterway network by incorporating the Kalamata waterway into it, as well as to breathe new life into the network of waterways in the Peloponnese, where the corresponding facilities in Patras are already located.
Regional and Municipal Authorities Share in the Success!
The progress made in bringing the city’s seaplane base to the licensing stage is undoubtedly the result of the close cooperation and coordinated efforts of the Municipal Port Authority, the Municipal Authority of Kalamata, the Peloponnese Region, and Hellenic Seaplanes.
Specifically, the construction of the Kalamata waterway bears his hallmark Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, Mr. Panagiotis Nika, who began the process of establishing a waterway back when he was mayor of the city, as well as the current mayor, Mr. Thanasis Vasilopoulos which, together with the Kalamata Port Authority They are consistently working to ensure that seaplanes will be operating in the Gulf of Messinia in the near future.
Planning for the seaplane flight schedule begins
Along with the approval of the license for the Kalamata waterway, the Hellenic Seaplanes is preparing the flight schedule regarding trips on its seaplanes to the city in Messinia, as well as its potential connection with Ionian Islands, the Kythera as well as neighboring destinations such as Patras, the Lake Taka, the Kyllini and the Laconian Mani.
The goal is to create routes that will initially include scheduled flights, charter flights but then also tourist and sightseeing in nature Meanwhile, we will see further developments regarding the first seaplane flights to and from Kalamata once construction of the seaplane base’s onshore facilities begins.
In a related statement, the Regional Governor Mr. Nikas stated: «This initiative is expected to reinforce the Region’s broader strategic plan to support and further develop tourism in Kalamata and the Peloponnese. Therefore, the establishment of a waterway in Kalamata creates a significant opportunity for growth, as it strengthens the tourism sector—a key pillar of development for Greece—while opening up a major investment opportunity with substantial benefits. Furthermore, the use of seaplanes is expected to support efforts to meet the ever-increasing transportation demands, given that seaplanes can operate flights to transport passengers and cargo, as well as create hundreds of new jobs…»
Immediately after the permit was signed, , The Mayor of Kalamata, Thanasis Vasilopoulos said «As the Municipal Authority of Kalamata, we have taken perhaps the most important step toward the development of waterways in Southern Greece, and we are particularly pleased that the implementation of the waterway in our city is finally getting underway. This is a major project that will meet the needs of passengers while operating in parallel with and complementing other modes of transportation. We are pleased that, after a long period of effort, we have received the permit to establish the seaplane base. We hope the project will be completed soon and that the first seaplane flights in Kalamata will take place in 2022…
Starting today, Kalamata is joining the national waterway network, ushering in a new era of development for new tourism products, new transportation services, and new options for Kalamata’s residents and visitors …
The private operator who will take on the task of running the seaplane base will also be required to obtain an operating license, and we hope that other establishment licenses will be granted in our country very soon so that a suitable network, ensuring the sustainable operation of seaplanes in our country and providing our city with yet another mode of transportation. I have already informed the President of the Municipal Port Authority this morning so that the procedures can move forward. »
It appears that Kalamata will become home to the first seaplane base in the Peloponnese region, serving as the central hub of the network in Southern Greece from which flights to dozens of destinations will depart.
Ο President and Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicholas Charalambous commented on the upcoming licensing of the Kalamata waterway:
«At Hellenic Seaplanes, we aspire to build a robust network of seaplane bases and, with our seaplanes, connect all of Greece with fast, safe, and cost-effective flights! This ambition is now further strengthened by the news that the Kalamata seaplane base is joining the ranks of licensed destinations, and we are now moving even more decisively forward with its construction and the development of the flight schedule. With the seaplane base in place, Kalamata has everything it needs to further strengthen its position on Greece’s tourism map, by welcoming thousands of tourists while also serving locals and their business needs on a daily basis».
