Ρωτώντας τον κ. Earle για διαθεσιμότητα δρομολογίων και για το πότε θα λειτουργήσει το e-booking τους, έλαβα την παρακάτω απάντηση:
"Dear AirSea Lines Customers
Thank you for your enquiries. We have been inundated with interest from the travel industry and private passengers from all over the world eager to learn more about our exciting service. Please accept the following statement in response to your questions.
AirSea Lines / Pegasus Aviation Ltd. is pioneering the delivery of scheduled seaplane service within Greece. We operate the only seaplanes in the country and in fact we are the only scheduled seaplane service provider in the EU.
Current Services
We have twice daily service between Corfu and Paxos which has been temporarily suspended in order for our aircraft to be used in the United Nations / World Food Program humanitarian effort in the tsunami stricken regions of Indonesia.
Service between Corfu and Paxos will be re-instated by March 31, 2005. Tickets may be purchased by phoning (30) 2661049800 though our internet booking system will be operational by April 30, 2005.
Charter services are available from March 31, 2005 however landing areas are restricted to our operating bases at anytime. Special landing permits are possible but require additional time and cost to secure. Custom Excursion charter packages are not managed by AirSea Lines but the aircraft can be provided.
Future Services
Between now and July 31, 2005 we would aim to have scheduled service connecting Corfu, Paxos, Patras, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkatha, Ithaki and Ioannina on some basis. Service to Brindisi and other Italian ports is also being pursued.
Services to other regions of Greece including the Cyclades and the Thessaloniki region are also in planning stages but will not be deliverable for the 2005 tourist season.
We appreciate that travel plans can not be open to uncertainty and as such we are careful not to make promises we can not keep, even for reasons outside our control. The uncertainty of the timing of the development of these bases makes us unable to give scheduling commitments to passengers and travel industry groups even on a medium term basis at this time.
We will make widespread announcements in advance of service introduction through media in each market, through our web site, through email dissemination, through travel industry systems and through direct contact.
It is a very big job and we are moving as quickly as humanly possible to commence safe, frequent, reliable scheduled seaplane service operations all over Greece. Your patience is very much appreciated. Please monitor our website for further information and announcements.
Ticket Pricing
Tickets for the above routes will be priced between €40.00 and €100.00 including VAT and Taxes. Prices are quoted for one way and vary depending on season and flight duration. Passengers may carry 12kg of luggage with overage charged at €1.00 per kg. Other restrictions may be found on our website.
Your Support
In order to expedite the introduction of this important service your support is greatly needed. Please contact the following Greek government agencies to voice your opinion on the importance of seaplane service in Greece.
Ministry of Transportation at
press@yme.gr
Ministry of Mercantile Marine at
egov@mail.yen.gr
Sincerely
Steven R. Earle,
President
Cell: (01) 604-618-0131
AirSea Lines International (Canada) Limited
270-1575 West Georgia Street, Vancouver BC Canada V6G 2V3
Phone: (01) 604-669-0894
Fax: (01) 604-669-0827
Web:
http://www.airsealines.com"
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Σε περαιτέρω email μου με διευκρινίσεις για το τι προβλήματα είχε η εταιρία με τα υπουργεία Μεταφορών και Εμπορικής Ναυτιλίας, η απάντησαη που πήρα ήταν:
John
The Ministers have fundamentally been very very helpful. The important message to send is that they avoid the Greek tendency to over regulate things. Seaplanes have flown safely and successfully in Canada for over 70 years with very little regulation. Dozens operate in the Maldives with even less regulation.
Though the Ministers are eager for seaplanes to come they are listening to advisors that are trying to make to many rules. This will crush the industry before it starts and it is important that people speak up. Any correspondence you can send the Ministries in support of simplified regulatory environments would be helpful.
Regards
Steven R. Earle,
President
Τα συμπεράσματα, για την εταιρία, δικά σας

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