The tender process for the company that will take over the Sifnos waterport, within the port area of Platis Gialos, has been successfully completed. Following the tender procedure, the competent committee, set up by the Municipal Port Authority of Sifnos, selected as the sponsoring investor the Hellenic Seaplanes which through its subsidiary company «Sifnos Waterport IKE» will undertake the construction and operation of the waterport.
A decisive role for the implementation of the project not to remain in the plans but instead to pass to the implementation phase is played by both the Municipal as well as the Port Authority. Η Mayor of Sifnos, Mrs. Maria Nadali and President of the Municipal Port Fund, Mr. Apostolos Diamantis have started, immediately after the completion of the tender, the joint design with the contractor company, of all the steps required for the construction and management of the waterport.
After the tender procedure has been launched, the President and CEO of the Hellenic Seaplanes , Mr. Nicholas Charalambous stated:
«It is a very good day, a historic day for the island of Sifnos, a very important project for the island's air link is progressing and is scheduled for completion in 2022. The first network in the Cyclades Athens, Tinos, Patmos and the extension to Sifnos will soon come into operation, substantially improving access for residents and visitors to our islands.
After many years of effort, through many difficulties and unprecedented conditions for Greece, we have gained the experience to drive the process at a fast pace and integrate the island of Sifnos into the South Aegean flight schedule. I must mention and I want to thank all the actors who have contributed to reach today and to start the process of completing the waterport: the island's operators, the Mayor, the President of the Municipal Port Fund, the South Aegean Region and the Regional Governor who has paved the way for the network of waterports throughout the South Aegean. It is also important to mention about the contribution of the current government that has vigorously contributed to solve the problems that existed and to address all with a willingness to complete the project of creating a network of waterports in Greece.».
Η Hellenic Seaplanes opens the curtain on flights in the Aegean!
The airline aspires to be the first to cut the thread of seaplane travel in the Aegean Sea, creating the first network of seaports with destinations in both the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
In particular, the flight plan of Hellenic Seaplanes includes in the first phase Tinos, where the waterway infrastructure is under construction, the Patmos with the works to be completed very soon and Sifnos is now added to the plan, with the completion of the tender process for the construction of the waterport, which will start immediately.
Against the backdrop of the start of flights later this year, the initiative of Region of the Aegean and the Regional Governor Mr. George Hadjimarkos, the content of which concerns the licensing of 30 waterports on the islands Rhodes (2 waterways), Kos (2 waterways), Paros, Naxos, Milos, Syros, Amorgos, Kalymnos, Lipsi, Leros, Halki, Symi, Tilos, Karpathos, Kastelorizo, Agathonisi, Nisyros, Astypalaia, Kasos, Mykonos, Santorini, Kythnos, Kea, Andros, Sikinos, Serifos, Donousa and Anafi.. Despite the delays and obstacles brought by the coronavirus, the ultimate goal is the creation of a strong network of waterways that will highlight the multifaceted potential of seaplanes as a means of transport and the ease of movement of local islanders and tourists.
Full discussion between the stakeholders and the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Michael Papadopoulos
On the agenda of issues to be discussed by the stakeholders with the participation of of Hellenic Seaplanes and Mr Michalis Papadopoulos, Deputy Minister of State responsible for waterways and the operation of seaplanes, at the Department of Transport and Infrastructure was:
- Accelerating the licensing and construction of waterways
- Simplification of environmental permitting procedures
- Fuel framework and establishment of a seaplane refuelling network
With regard to waterway network that is being created in our country, the discussion turned around the current situation of the completed and potential waterways in our country and related to the waterways in South Aegean, Ionian and Sporades Seas, their level of readiness and the outstanding issues that need to be settled around issues such as the resolution of key issues concerning existing waterway files, the acceleration of operating permit issuance times, etc.
Ο Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicholas Charalambous stated:
«The meeting with Deputy Minister Papadopoulos was particularly constructive as we had the opportunity to discuss many important issues regarding the development of the seaplane and waterway project in our country. With the substantial support of the government, and the good cooperation of the public bodies, we can aspire that this year will be the catalytic year when we will see seaplanes flying in the Greek skies. There are some issues that need to be addressed, but with the key interventions and actions of all the competent bodies, we can look to the future with optimism and determination.».
