The government unveiled plans yesterday for a network of water airports designed to improve transport links to Greece’s remote islands and regions. Shipping and Aegean Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, with Deputy Transport, Infrastructure and Networks Minister Mihalis Papadopoulos, presented the plan during a joint press conference.

"The implementation of water airports and the arrival of hydroplanes create a new market for tourism, transport and the islands policy," Varvitsiotis said. He pointed to the seaplanes’ potential to boost islands’ growth and create new jobs, as well as the development of Greek ports, while facilitating access to the mainland destinations that were hard to reach for both locals and tourists.

Applications have now been submitted on behalf of several ports and harbour funds, including those of Corfu, Patras, Lavrio, Heraklio, Volos, Skyros, Rethymno and Zakynthos. Once permits are given, the port and harbour authorities can then lease the right to operate the water airport to seaplane companies, via a process of tender.