As we reported on Total Croatia News earlier, today was an historic day for the city of Split, which received its first commercial seaplane flight since 1936, with an early morning arrival from Jelsa. Read about it here.  

This was followed by another first - the first direct flight to the island of Lastovo from downtown Split, with an unbelievable connection time of just 22 minutes. Suddenly, one of Croatia's most beautiful and traditional islands was accessible to all. But that was just part of the story... 

One had to fly over some interesting places first...

As a Hvar boy, the flight was fascinating. A great view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stari Grad Plain. 

And I had never realised that the inland villages were designed in such a straight line. 

The ridge of Central Hvar. To the left, northern Hvar, to the right, the fabled Plavac Mali vineyards of the sloping south side. 

And within seconds, we were over Hvar's highest peak, and looking at its southern shores. 

But not before appreciating the beauty of eastern Hvar. Long, thin, undiscovered. 

Take a peek on the other side and one can see one of the top 10 beaches in Europe - Dubovica. 

And on the way back, more than one hidden bay on Hvar's north side, near Brusje. 

How can one forget the island of Scedro, nestled quietly south of Hvar's southern shores? 

And one of the downsides of the seaplane experience - there is no time to collect one's breath. Hello Korcula! 

And then I got lost in islands. And more islands. All gorgeous. 

Too pretty.  

From whichever angle. 

And the prize of our end destination came into view.  

An island I had never visited but had heard (and was now seeing) great things about. 

Did I mention Croatia has more than 1000 islands?  

For some of course, the on-board excitement was all too much...  

A heavy police presence for this, the first flight to Lastovo. 

Some people call it Paradise.

Just 22 amazing minutes from Split. Book now.  

It is really happening... 

Two planes at the home base of Resnik.

Booking now open for new destinations, including the big one, downtown Split. 

First flights with the new schedule, including Downtown Split to Jelsa and Downtown Split to the Island of Lastovo.

From Monday... 

Hvar to downtown Split in just 11 minutes is about to become a daily reality. And with a first departure time of 08:40 from Jelsa, arriving at 08:51, a little more civilised than the 06:00 catamaran.

Check out the new schedules and book here. 

The European Coastal Airlines seaplane fleet is growing...

And the new planes are making quite a journey to be part of the Croatian island-hopping revolution.

With a raft of new destinations about to join the network - downtown Split, Lastovo, Vela Luka on Korcula, Novalja on Pag - the need for more plances is clear, and two more Twin Otters will soon be in service. Thanks to Twin Otter Spotter for the update:

This afternoon 9A-TOC departed Murrieta on the first sector of its delivery flight to Croatia. On arrival it becomes the third Twin Otter for European Coastal, one of which is in service, with the second aircraft due to leave Switzerland for Croatia shortly. Aircraft number four (MSN 96) remains at Murrieta undergoing final upgrade work, and it will become 9A-TOE.

The ferry flight to Croatia is being operated by Calgary's World Wide Ferry, who were also responsible for delivering the first two Twin Otters to ECA.

Thanks to the team at Ikhana for the photo.

It is the moment many thought would never happen, but the seaplane revolution has taken arguably its most important first step forward since the inaugural flight from Resnik to Jelsa last August. 

A concession for downtown Split has been signed! Work will begin next week, and if all goes well, this should be completed by July 24. The team is working towards a maiden flight date of August 1, but this will be confirmed nearer the time, depending on progress. 

Two other new stations will be opened to coincide with the Split city seaport - the island of Lastovo and Vela Luka on Korcula, and in the initial stages, ECA has confirmed to us that downtown Split will be connected to Lastovo, Vela Luka, Jelsa, Rijeka Airport, Mali Losinj, Pula, and soonafter, Novalja.

Total Croatia News (launching tomorrow, follow us on Facebook) contacted European Coastal Airlines for more information and received the following statement from CEO Captain Klaus Dieter Martin.

"This is a key development for the expansion of the ECA network. The ability to connect islands such as Hvar, Korcula, Mali Losinj and Lastovo to downtown Split means that the revolution of island hopping is truly beginning."

A very exciting development, and long overdue. Congratulations to the ECA team for the persistence. With such a large and sudden expansion, I am sure there will be some growing pains, but the long-term future of island hopping (says this regular Jelsa - Split commuter) is VERY exciting indeed. 

Follow the latest on the ECA Facebook page. 

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. 

The end of a very long journey for one seaplane from California to Split, and a bonus for webcam lovers of Lastovo. 

The key hub of downtown Split is ready for operation for European Coastal Airlines. A view from the air.

(Photo credit Michael Fuhrmann - The windsock is erected at the new seaplane station on the island of Lastovo)

August should see a major expansion of the European Coastal Airlines seaplane operation.