In Attica and specifically in the port of Lavrio, the first Water Field, following an application submitted by the «Organisation of Lavrio Port Authority S.A.» to the General Staff of the Navy, which was duly approved by the General Staff in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy.
The «Lavrion Port Authority S.A.», the management body of the Port of Lavrion, took the initiative to proceed with the approval of a Water Field, which will serve the needs of tourists and residents of the wider area of Lavrion to the islands, mainly the Cyclades.
In addition, it is stressed that the operation of the Aquatic Field will create the very positive synergy of cruise ships with seaplanes, which will help in the further development of cruising in Lavrion as it will provide the possibility of sightseeing flights to nearby islands of the Cyclades.
The provision of this service will make the port of Lavrio an even more attractive destination for cruise ships, as their customers will be able to see and remember the sights of their holiday in a unique way, from the air.
Sightseeing flights
The port of Lavrio has actively entered the cruise map. Indicatively, only «Celectyal Cruises» has planned for 2022 a total of 62 cruises with Lavrio as the starting port, with the last departure on 14 November. Already for 2023, more than 80 cruise ship calls are expected at the Port of Lavrio from five different companies.
The number of these cruise ship calls and the long season (8 months per year) of cruising in Lavrio are qualitative elements that have already been evaluated as very important by the airline «GRECIAN AIR SEAPLANES», which is in the process of obtaining an AOC for seaplane flights.
According to the company's Business Plan, sightseeing flights will be a central part of its seaplane operations and therefore the Lavrio Water Field will be among the destinations where the company will operate.
The approval of the Lavrio Aquatic Field allows, by law, up to six pairs of flights may be operated (embarkation - disembarkation), by seaplane airline, on a daily basis. Furthermore, in addition to the six pairs of flights mentioned above, general aviation, air ambulance, fire-fighting and search & rescue flights will be allowed. The flights will be operated from/to licensed waterways and land airports (using amphibious seaplanes).
For the implementation of the approval of the Water Field, the «Lavrio Port Authority S.A.» has selected as contractor the company «Greek Waterways». «Hellenic Waterways» is the first company active in the field of waterways and Aquatic Fields, having completed the approval of the first nationwide Aquatic Field in Canistro Kassandra Halkidiki, as well as the approvals of the Water Fields in Porto Heli and Ermioni.
Still it is the company that has carried out the licensing of the first three Aquatics Centres (Corfu, Paxos, Patras) and the issuance of the Establishment Licence for the Rethymno and Ios Waterports.
The CEO of the «Lavrio Port Authority», George Vakondios, referring to the approval of the Lavrio Water Field, said: «The Lavrio Port Authority in the context of implementing its strategic objective for multi-level development of the Port of Lavrio (shipping, cruise, yachting, etc.) adds the approval of the Aquatic Field.
In this way, we will provide the possibility for Hydro Planes to fly from Lavrio to islands, mainly in the Cyclades, but also to coastal areas, transporting safely and quickly passengers who wish to travel for various reasons (tourist, business, health, etc.)».
For his part, the President of the company «Hellenic Waterways» referring to the issue stated: «The approval of the Aquatic Field at the port of Lavrio adds a flexible transport solution for the needs connecting Southeast Attica with islands and coastal areas. It is clear that the operation of seaplanes will offer an innovative transport option, ensuring not only the movement of tourists but also of residents throughout the year’.
