Seaplane History in Downtown Split: First Commercial Flight Since 1936

An important day in the Croatian aviation revolution, as downtown Split sees the first commercial seaplane Split in 79 years, and Lastovo is reached in just 22 minutes. 

An historic day in Croatian transportation history today, as European Coastal Airlines finally realised a 14-year dream of opening a station for their seaplane operation for downtown Split, a destination that once had regular seaplane flights, the last of which was back in 1936.

TCN was on the first flight from downtown Jelsa on Hvar, and perhaps there is no better way to tell the story than in pictures.  

The 08:40 departure from Jelsa left early, with the latest Twin Otter to join the ECA fleet the vehicle of choice. TCN spoke to ECA CEO Captain Klaus Dieter Martin later in the day, who confirmed that a third Twin Otter is due to arrive next week, allowing further expansion of the ECA network. 

The pretty northern harbour town of Jelsa made modern aviation history in Europe almost a year ago, by receiving the first scheduled seaplane flight in modern European aviation history, with a flight from Resnik, near Split Airport, on August 27, 2014. It has proved a popular route which has operated all year. 

Finally preparations, and dockhandler Ivan cut the seaplane loose for its inaugural flight to downtown Split.  

One of the concerns about seaplanes in busy harbours in some quarters has been the potential danger of a plane landing. According to law, a seaplane is considered a boat until in the air, and with maximum ability to manoeuvre, a seaplane is more responsive than many boats in the water, and the taxi to take-off this morning included some accommodation with some of the excellent athletes from the Jelsa Rowing Club.  

And so to the air. Just how much fun could one have in 13 minutes in the air? TCN chose a left-hand seat for a bird’s eye view of the island of Zecevo and the Kabal Peninsula.  

This seemed to be a wise strategy, as the picturesque peninsula shone in the morning sunshine. Until… 

For one of the best views of the iconic Zlatni Rat beach on Bol, a right-hand seat was recommended. Too much to see in too short a time…  

A flight over the picturesque coast of the island of Brac. 

Until very soon the Dalmatian capital of Split came into view.  

Not even Emperor Diocletian himself could have dreamed of an arrival like this.  

A magnificent view of the harbour, as we veered right away from Split.  

But not before one had checked out the competition – Jadrolinija ferries were plying their trade in the waters below.  

And a landing, well away from the Split harbour. As a passenger on the plane, I can assure the skeptics about marine traffic being in danger that the only things on the Adriatic which were remotely affected by the ECA landing were a couple of seagulls 20 metres away, who seemed a little bemused by this giant bird in the sky.  

And so began the taxi into Split, gorgeous views from the water aplenty.  

And as the seaplane slowed, a jetski raced by. Marine life, with space for everyone.  

The new ECA downtown Split terminal came into view. Located on the eastern side of the main harbour, the station has ticket office, toilets and cafe, with pleasant waterfront waiting area.  

A first docking, and a new home for ECA, with some bigger and more established neighbours. 

ECA CEO Captain Klaus Dieter Martin was clearly a happy man, after such a long struggle, and he pronounced it a great day for Split, which is now connected to downtown Pula in just over an hour, as well as daily connections to Jelsa on Hvar and the island of Lastovo. 

TCN caught up with Captain Martin after his interview, and he confirmed that the Lastovo route will shortly be increased to two flights a day, that Rab will soon be reconnected later this month with the arrival of the third plane, and that Vela Luka on Korcula will be the next destination to open, probably within two weeks. 

As an island resident of 13 years on Hvar, the very thought of being able to leave my front door and be in downtown Split in under an hour has been the stuff of fantasy. Today it became a reality. 

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

the fields marked with * are required

Email: *
First name:
Last name:
Gender:	Male Female
Country:
Birthday:	[DD] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 [MM] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 [YYYY] 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Please don't insert text in the box below!