The Greek government has approved environmental terms for the operation of a waterway in the Aegean Sea island of Patmos. Patmos Mayor Gregory Stoϊkos said at the signing that “the Patmos waterway is the first to be granted an environmental permit in the Dodecanese and the Aegean Sea.” He said the measure would help in connecting the island with the rest of Greece and that it would “give an impetus to the tourism industry of the island, create new jobs and provide air transportation.”
Hellenic Seaplanes Chairman and CEO Nicolas Charalambous underlined that “this is a project of national importance, and we will soon have a viable waterways network in place that will give a new impetus to the connectedness of Greece.” He added that the company had already begun procedures for licensing, construction and operation of waterways along the coasts, on islands and on lakes. The first flights under the new guidelines should begin in 2016. Licensing is currently being sought for over 50 waterways across Greece.
