Sea Planes on Croatian Coast Closer to Reality

Hydroplanes could be making a return to the southern Dalmatian city of Dubrovnik next summer after more than 80 years, after the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Deputy Prefect Davorko Obuljen announced on Saturday that the issuing of location permits to the German company European Coastal Airlines (ECA) was almost complete.

In the first stage of the project, which has now been talked about for the latest decade in Croatia, tourists and locals in Dubrovnik will be able to take a sea plane to the islands of Korcula (Korcula and Vela Luka) and Lastovo, before offering a service to Mljet in the second phase. ECA has reportedly already purchased an area near the port in Korcula where landings and take offs will take place, and have already started advertising there.

ECA have already set up a Croatian company for the hydroplanes business along the Croatian coast.  Along with the Dubrovnik – Korcula , Lastovo and Mljet connections, the 34 million euro project will also provide sea plane services from Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula and Sibenik to the islands of Brac, Hvar, Rab and Mali Losnij. After more than 10 years of rumours, it finally looks like the reality of sea planes on the Croatian coast is not too far away. (foto: European Coastal Airlines)