Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias and Mayor of Hydra Giorgos Koukoudakis have signed an official agreement to construct a new helipad and access road on the island of Hydra.
The programmatic contract, which was also signed by locum tenens Nun Pelagia of the Holy Temple of Agios Nikolaos of Hydra, formally clears the way for the emergency transport infrastructure after decades of requests from local islanders.
Funding for the project totals 1 million euros plus value-added tax. The Region of Attica will provide up to 829,100 euros from its own budget, while the Municipality of Hydra will serve as the managing beneficiary for the project.
The helipad will be built at a site known as Aloni, situated approximately 5 kilometers from the main town settlement of Hydra. The facility will cover an area of roughly 1,800 square meters on land belonging to the Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which owns a broader property of 160 stremmata in the area. The monastery is leasing the land to the municipality for a period of 30 years.
Helipad specifications and medical transport
The new facility will feature complete infrastructure for safe helicopter landings and take-offs. Regional officials stated that the project focuses primarily on handling emergency situations and accelerating patient air evacuations to mainland medical facilities.
Hydra is a car-free island located in the Saronic Gulf off the eastern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, within the administrative jurisdiction of the Region of Attica. Due to its steep terrain and strict prohibitions on motor vehicles, the island relies heavily on maritime transport or air evacuation during critical medical emergencies, making reliable helicopter access essential.
Attica governor on island accessibility
Following the signing ceremony, Hardalias said Hydra was acquiring vital infrastructure directly connected to the safety, health, and overall quality of life of its residents and visitors. He stated that island status must not lead to isolation or unequal access to essential public services.
Hardalias noted that every citizen in Attica, whether residing in the central Athens basin or on one of the region's Saronic islands, is entitled to the same sense of security and prompt support in emergency situations. He added that the construction of the helipad and access road would enable faster patient transfers and more effective emergency response.
Improving accessibility across island municipalities remains a constant priority for the Region of Attica, Hardalias said, noting that investment in infrastructure helps reduce physical distances, remove social exclusion, and strengthen community resilience. He expressed appreciation to Metropolitan Ephraim of Hydra, Spetses and Aegina for the Church's social contribution, and thanked Mayor Koukoudakis and the Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos for their collaboration.
Hydra mayor on project timeline
Mayor Koukoudakis described the signing as an important milestone for the island, explaining that local residents had requested a dedicated helipad for emergency needs over several decades. He thanked Regional Governor Hardalias for recognizing the seriousness of the issue and approving the necessary funding.
Koukoudakis added that municipal officials hope the project will soon move to public tender and construction, with the goal of inaugurating the new helipad before the conclusion of their current term in office.
The signing of the agreement was also attended by Deputy Regional Governor for Islands Nikos Papageorgiou and Mary Miska, the Director of Development Planning for the Region of Attica.
