07/01/2010 23:38:00
Seaplanes seem to be heading back to these shores after six decades. A local seaplane departing from Macaus Outer Harbour in the 1950s (file photo)
Waterfront Air looks set to finally start the seaplane services from Chinas Shenzhen to Macau and Guangzhou in the fourth quarter of this year, the South China Morning Post reported.
Waterfront Air and Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal Services Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to provide services from the Shenzhen Airport ferry pier.
The company will lease a fleet of 18-seater DHC Twin Otter floatplanes for the flights. The flights would take about 20 minutes.
Waterfront Air plans to start seaplane services from Hong Kong to Macau, Shenzhen and Guangzhou next year, the report also said. The Chinese company has been planning to operate this service for almost two years ago.
In October 2008, it was reported that the firm, founded by Canadian entrepreneur Michael Agopsowicz, was planing to operate a scheduled seaplane service between a new Kai Tak Waterfront Aerodrome and the Pak On ferry terminal near Macaus Cotai Strip.
It also plans to create a licensed water aerodrome opposite the old Kai Tak airport runway. Passengers would be taken to the Kowloon City ferry pier after the seaplanes landed.
At that time, the Tourism Commission and the Tourism Board gave their backing to the proposal because it would enhance Hong Kongs appeal as a city with diversity and fun. But the project first needed to pass an environmental-impact assessment. The firm was planning to charge about HKD1,500 for a one-way trip, compared with HKD2,200 to HKD2,400 for a helicopter trip between Hong Kong and Macau or about HKD150 for a jetfoil. It plans to run 20 flights a day. The firm estimates 150,000 visitors will take the trips every year.
Recently, Waterfront Airs founder and director Michael Agopsowicz told the media the company is still seeking permission from the authorities to construct licensed water aerodromes in all of the cities.
While there are extensive ferry and helicopter links between Hong Kong and Macau, he says that seaplanes tap into a different target market. We eye the international travellers who want to add value to their trip, the affluent market, he adds.