Naxos is a greek island in the south aegean sea, a rather undiscovered highlight when it comes to tourism and home to about 20.000 inhabitants, most of them living in its capital, Chora.

Coming to aviation-related topics, Naxos hasn’t the significance it deserves as well. With Athens being the only destination served by scheduled flights and only two operating airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express, most of its visitors arrive by ferry or boat.
The infrastructure is hereby part of the blame. With an only 2,957ft (901m) long runway, it makes it impossible for larger european holiday airlines to operate in and out of the island.

Please notice that the flights are mostly summer-seasonal only as well, making planespotting in Naxos during the winter season quite unattractive.
Due to the length of the runway bizjets are a rare sight as well and only smaller types like the Citation Mustang are capable to land here. However smaller props can be quite regular visitor.

Written by Erik Loose, visited September 2017

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Airline Variety
Photo Locations
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Airport Information
Runways
18/36	901m Asphalt
Terminals	Handles all incoming and outgoing traffic, including scheduled flights or general aviation.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed, except Spot #2. Due to big wholes in the fence it is possible to make photos through the fence as well though.
Car/Public Transport	Depends on where you stay, but keep in mind that there is no public transport to anywhere near the airport. As an alternative you can rent a bike or bicycle in one of the many bikeshops (e.g. in Agios Prokopios).
Restrooms	Inside the terminal or nearby restaurants
Drinks/Food	There is a snack shop inside the terminal. Otherwise the next restaurants can be found in Agios Prokopios or Chora.
Hotels	There are plenty of hotels in a 500m distance to the airports terminal (Most of them are appartments).
Season	As its a holiday destination it makes sense to visit the island in the summer.
Runway Usage
18/36	Used in both directions for all traffic.

	Spot #1 – Backtrack Runway 18
WHERE	On a small hill on the northern end of Runway 36/18. As the fence is very low its possible to walk up and down the street for best light or angle as well. If coming from Chora/Naxos City just follow the signs to „Airport“ until you get to an intersection, where you have to make a right-hand turn towards „Stelida“. Follow the street until you find yourself next to the runways end.
WHAT	All runway activities
TIME	Depending on where exactly you stay/what angle. I recommend the afternoon for the best shots (1-6pm).
MISC.	No ladder needed. No shadow. Parking on the edge of the road should be possible, but no guarantee.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-160mm

JNX-Spot1

JNX-Spot1

JNX-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Apron View
WHERE	On a car park next to the terminal. Wherever you are, you’ll get there by following the signs to the Airport and parking your car/bike in front of the terminal.
WHAT	All apron and ramp activities and traffic on the mid part of the runway.
TIME	Morning hours.
MISC.	Ladder recommended. It’s possible to make good shots through the fence as well. (Examples underneath are all taken through the fence). Snacks, Restrooms are 100m away inside the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	35-60mm, Runway: 80-110mm

JNX-Spot2

JNX-Spot2

JNX-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Morning 36 Departures/18 Arrivals
WHERE	Next to the road on a small path to the surfers beach. To get here use the same advice as for Spot#1.
WHAT	Departures from Runway 36 when airborne and Arrivals on Runway 18 when on final.
TIME	Morning hours.
MISC.	No ladder needed. No shadow. Bring everything you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-160mm

JNX-Spot3

JNX-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Terminal
WHERE	On the side of the road from Mastorakis to Agia Anna. You can walk up and down the street for prefered angle.
WHAT	All approaches on Runway 36 during the morning hours.
TIME	Morning hours.
MISC.	No ladder needed. No shadow. Bring everything you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	110-150mm

JNX-Spot4

JNX-Spot4

	Spot #5 – Morning Runway 36 Arrivals (Short final)
WHERE	On the side of the road between the Airport and Agia Anna/Mastorakis. To get here, when coming from Chora/Naxos City, just follow the road signs to the Airport. When reaching the airport continue on the same road for about 1,1km until you reach the spot. Usually this is an better option as #4 but many fields and roads are private property, especially on the afternoon side. Also bushes and trees blocking the sight so #4 is a “safer” choice.
WHAT	All approaches on Runway 36 during the morning hours.
TIME	Morning hours.
MISC.	No ladder needed. No shadow. Bring everything you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	Unknown. Probably 100-200mm.

Unfortunately we can´t support sample photos from this location yet. Please don´t hesitate to contact us if you have some photos from this spot.