Revisiting the topic of seaplanes for The Points Guy

Picture: Surcar Airlines

It is never a bad time to revisit interesting topics. I have touched upon the topic of seaplanes several times on this platform, whether on the podcast - like here and here - or in my writings (see this one).

So, the arrival of a Danish DHC-6 amphibious Twin Otter to Tenerife (operated by Nordic Seaplanes) on a demo flight was an excellent opportunity to check on the status of this industry in Europe and, most particularly in Spain.

It seems that a change in the regulatory approach may facilitate a proper emergence of a commercial seaplane industry in Spain, a country that despite its long coastline and archipelagos, sees almost no passenger-carrying seaplane operations (there is however a military and firefighting seaplane fleet).

It’s early to say whether projects such as Surcar, in the Canary Islands, and Isla Air Express, in the Balearics, are going to consolidate, but the entrepreneurial energy is there. Will passenger demand follow suit?

Check out my piece about seaplanes for The Points Guy here:

Surcar Airlines to launch seaplane service in the Canary Islands