Hi,
Although not ppl yet and still Scottish!, current seaplanes and those of old Sutherland Flying boats, Catalinas and the like do have a nostalgic and different attraction, even if it just gets around ever increasing landing fees.
I have found a study from Michael Clarke, University of Central Lancaster, which you may have already seen, and it raises the question and indeed resurrects the idea of seaplanes being used extensively across the UK as is done already in Vancouver.
Here's the directory link:
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/Faculties/...f/vol5/issue1/ Please select
Commentary1.pdf (Adobe Reader required)
Beyond the noise and environmental protesters, I believe there is weight in his study and would hope one day that the UK could look to this as a way of alternative transport.
Happy reading
