The idyllic landscape of Santorini, one of the most popular destinations for VIP tourists, is once again at the centre of a serious crisis following the conclusion of an investigation by the Naxos Prosecutor’s Office into the safety of helicopter flights. After the phenomenon of over-tourism that caused a variety of reactions, local operators are now facing another headache: the suspension of helicopter flights.

A document from the Naxos Prosecutor’s Office of the Naxos Prosecutor’s Office to the Civil Protection Authority, dated August 12, published by “THEMA” refers to dangerous landing and take-off practices adopted by helicopter companies operating in Santorini.

The document, which was communicated to the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Protection Service, the airport manager of Thera, and the Aegean Appeals Prosecutor, describes the results of an urgent preliminary investigation conducted by the Naxos Prosecutor’s Office, in the context of which, on Thursday 8 August, autopsies were carried out in various areas of Santorini.

During these, it was established the existence of unsuitable and dangerous landing fields, which are used by helicopter companies for permanent flights. These areas, as the prosecutor’s office document states, are used without any control by the pilots, putting the safety of flights, passengers, and residents at risk.

Dangerous flights

In addition, the on-site autopsy found the existence of fuel tanks to refuel the helicopters, thus increasing the risk of an accident. The helicopter companies, according to this document, violate both the European regulation and the European plan for aviation safety, as well as the Greek legislation. “Their activity is carried out at low flight altitudes, close to residential areas, and in dangerous proximity to electric cables and other fixed structures,”
it said.

As expected, the notification of the helicopter flight safety findings to the relevant authorities immediately prompted the prohibition of landing and take-off at the sites in question.

According to the issued notice to airmen (NOTAM), these are located at Merovigli, Megalochori, Akrotiri, and the Vothonas – Kamari area. Now helicopter flights can be operated exclusively to and from Santorini airport, except that – according to the companies – less than 20% of landing requests are approved there.“The island’s airport is as if it doesn’t exist for us, as most of our landing requests are not accepted. I dare say we are rejected 9 out of 10”, a helicopter pilot tells THEMA.

Before the ink could dry, the first pilot was recorded by police authorities. Specifically, a pilot of a private helicopter bound for Santorini contacted the island’s control tower to land at a point outside the five restricted areas mentioned in the NOTAMs and indicated in the conclusion of the Naxos Prosecutor’s Office. Although the controller of the Control Tower reportedly assured him that there was no issue with landing at a point outside the five designated areas, when the helicopter landed there, a police officer together with the airport manager was waiting for the pilot and passengers, who were taken to the Police Station.

Eventually, late in the afternoon, they were all released, with the pilot taking legal action against all those responsible for the inconvenience he and the passengers had endured, complaining through his lawyer that their bringing to the station was irregular – if not illegal.

Unlicensed

The ban on helicopter flights has disrupted the island’s tourism industry. Agents attribute this development to conflicts among hoteliers, as those with suitable helicopter landing sites have been benefiting at the expense of those without. This situation has created issues of unfair competition, as VIP customers tend to choose accommodation that offers this facility avoiding the island’s traffic, but also for greater discretion.

Another major issue is the absence of an officially licensed heliport in Santorini, something operators have repeatedly requested from the municipality, a requirement that highlights the need for infrastructure that will meet the needs of VIP tourists.

However, Presidential Decree 19/2009 – Government Gazette 35/A/Article 3, paragraph 1 states that unscheduled flights are not required to be operated from heliports and, as described in Article 12, paragraph 1 of the same Decree, “the helicopter pilot is responsible for the operation of the helicopter on landing fields, has full responsibility for the suitability of the landing field and judges, while in the air, the suitability of the area.”

Another pilot commented, “Helicopters were made to fly outside organized areas, for example from rooftops, gardens, yards, and fields, but in our country, there seems to be a prevailing impression that we can only fly from airports and heliports.”

Cancellations

Helicopter companies, which serve thousands of tourists a year, are now at a standstill. The financial impact is already being felt as they have to cancel bookings and refund money to customers who had prepaid flights. Typical is the case of an American tourist who had booked a flight from Elounda in Lassithi to Santorini after paying 6,000 euros and is now being told that he cannot make his trip.