After the resounding success of 2025, the GIDRO D’ITALIA by Seaplane returns for its second year. This unique air tour will consist of two stages, with a total of thirteen stops:
- The first four stages will take place from Sesto Calende (Varese) to Trieste from May 23rd to 30th.
- The next nine stages will connect Lake Trasimeno with Gallipoli (Lecce) from September 5th to 13th.
A total of at least 12 ultralight amphibious seaplanes and general aviation aircraft will participate, coming from all over Italy, as well as from Switzerland, Austria, and the Mediterranean area.
The event is organized by the Italian Maritime Aviation, in collaboration with the Italian Air Force, the Italian Air Force-Aviators Association, the Atlantic Transatlantic Flyers Association, and the Aviation Pioneers Association, and with the support of the Caroli Hotels Group.
The official presentation of the event, organized by the Italian Maritime Aviation, took place on April 29th in Rome, at the Casa dell’Aviatore. The event was attended, among others, by representatives of the Italian Air Force, which is also one of the event’s promoters, as well as representatives of the institutional, academic, and association worlds in the sector.
General Urbano Floreani, representing the Italian Air Force, in addition to confirming the Air Force’s patronage, took the opportunity to emphasize that “the history of seaplanes is in the DNA of the Italian aviation adventure… they are aircraft that take us back to the days of aeronautical pioneering”. And seaplanes were precisely the protagonists of the pioneering period of our civil aviation, which this year celebrates its centenary. Continuing, the General confirmed that “amphibious flight is part of Italy’s historical DNA and represents a unique opportunity for promoting the region”.
During the official presentation, ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma emphasized how the seaplane fits perfectly into the RAM (Regional Air Mobility) project, which is reviving the concept of “air mobility, with eco-friendly and low-cost solutions, capable of overcoming road congestion by leveraging seaplane bases as interregional hubs”.
The 2026 edition also marked the debut of ALISEO (Alliance for Historic Seaplane Bases and the Operating Ecosystem), a strategic platform for revitalizing and enhancing Italy’s historic seaplane bases, transforming them into active resources for elite and sustainable tourism. As stated by Orazio Frigino, President of the Italian Maritime Aviation Authority, “the goal is to raise awareness among institutions and citizens of the potential of the seaplane not only for tourism, but also for the protection of coastal areas and marine parks”.
GIDRO 2026 is not just a technical event, but a true traveling celebration. Each stop will include aeronautical conferences and exhibitions; meetings with schools and local authorities; promotional flights for the public; and various entertainment. Our association is organizing fruitful mutual collaborations with the Italian Maritime Aviation Association (Aviazione Marittima Italiana), which we hope to have among the speakers at the next AVIOCOM 100 event in Vasto.
For details on FIDRO 2026, please see the attachment, and further information is available at the links below: