AirSea Lines

Infobox Airline
airline = AirSea Lines

logo_size =
fleet_size = 2
destinations = 9
IATA = -
ICAO = -
callsign = -
parent =
company_slogan =
founded = 2004
headquarters =
key_people =
hubs = Gouvia Marina
secondary_hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
website = http://www.airsealines.com/

AirSea Lines is an airline based in Gouvia, Corfu, Greece. It is the first and only scheduled services seaplane operator in Greece. Its main base is Gouvia Marina [http://www.airsealines.com/ AirSea Lines website] retrieved 16 December 2006] .

History

The airline started operations on 21 September 2004, using two de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, with a service from Corfu to Paxi. It is a Greek owned company, using the knowledge and expertise of Harbour Air of Canada, the largest seaplane operator in the world .

On 7 November 2006 an AirSea Lines Twin Otter seaplane landed at Royal Victoria Docks on the River Thames, London, at the end of a proving flight testing the feasibility of seaplane operations from the river. The company stated it was studying the possibility of domestic passenger flights from lakes, rivers and harbours across the United Kingdom, and envisaged up to 50 AirSea Lines seaplanes operating in the UK in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London [Airliner World January 2007] .

In 2007 AirSea Lines expanded its operations into the Aegean area from Lavrio port, Athens. The expansion to the Aegean Sea was a failure stating infrastructure and bureaucratic Problems and the company was forced to retreat back to it's now neglected routes in the Ionian Sea.

In 2008 new management, lead Airsea Lines to its most productive season yet with over 95% reliability. October 1st, 2008, Airsea Lines saw a hostile take over by the Greek co-founder alienating its holding company, Airsea Lines Canada. In the Act, the Greek president, terminated his two top managers, who were directly responsible for the success and six of the most experienced flight crew citing financial difficulties then reverting back to a management team from outside the realm of Seaplane Aviation. Airsea Lines is now operating a very limited schedule in the Ionian region.

Destinations

As of December 2006 AirSea Lines operates services to the following scheduled destinations: [ name="AS" ]

* Brindisi, Italy
* Corfu, Greece
* Ioannina, Greece
* Ithaca, Greece
* Kefalonia, Greece
* Lefkada, Greece
* Patras, Greece
* Paxi, Greece
* Zakynthos, Greece

Fleet

As of August 2006 the AirSea fleet includes [Flight International, 3-9 October 2006] :

*4 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300

External links

* [http://www.airsealines.com/ AirSea Lines]
* [http://www.traveldailynews.com/new.asp?newid=18457&subcategory_id=53 Greek Island Seaplane Hopping - Travel Daily News, 14 September 2004]

References