Greek island hopper commuter airline AirSea Lines is exploring the possibility of offering scheduled seaplane services between inland waterways in key UK cities following a successful take-off and landing on London's Thames river.
A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter with floats took off last week from the Royal Victoria Docks, adjacent to London City airport, on a demonstration flight (pictured below). AirSea Lines Steven Earle, president and chief executivesays the company is studying domestic passenger flights from lakes, rivers and harbours across the UK.
The company will fly between the UK nations capital cities and other key cities and forsees a fleet of up to 50 seaplanes for the games of the XXX Olympiad taking place in the UK capital in July and August 2012. London City airport could construct a seaplane terminal such as the one in New York La Guardia airport to act as a base.
"The potential market for a seaplane operation in the UK is huge. Passengers will be able to fly from the River Thames to the Cardiff Bay Barrage in less than an hour for the price of petrol [gasoline] for the car journey that would take 3h" adds Earle.
AirSea Lines operates scheduled seaplane services between eight Greek locations in the Ionian Sea and to Brindisi, Italy.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
