Seaplanes and Dubrovnik. As ECA prepares its maiden flight from downtown Split to Dubrovnik Airport next month, how are things looking in downtown Dubrovnik?
After three years of repeated requests, there are still no proposed solutions for a seaplane dock in the port of Gruz, or from the Port Authority of Dubrovnik, which includes and encompasses both the city and the county.
The City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County are still unsure of whether or not they wish to implement the legislation required to obtain a seaplane dock in Gruz, in spite of the fact that this would not only improve general transport links but create jobs. It unfortunately appears that the investment projects for the creation and establishment of seaplane connections with Dubrovnik will remain incomplete this season, even though it has been approximately five years since the first application. It is the opinion of many that this shows a blatant disregard to the interests of not only citizens of Dubrovnik, but to the local economy. Many state that alternative and arguably ”better” connections to the city of Dubrovnik is very much desired and that denying, or at the very least prolonging this goes against both job creation and an even greater boost in tourism.
The proposed creation of the dock would consequently bring in the question the realisation of the necessity of creating a comprehensive network of lines all over the Adriatic to mark Dubrovnik’s importance as a popular city and important destination.
This being said, preventing foreign partners and investors, not only in the implementation of the seaplane dock project in Dubrovnik is seen by some as a positive factor due to various past situations involving outsiders. As of February 1st, 2016, European Coastal Airlines will begin flights to Dubrovnik Airport (Cilipi) from downtown Split, right next to the main ferry terminal for onward travel to islands such as Hvar, Brac, Solta and Vis.
