Skiathos airport, also called the Sint Maarten of Europe, is a small island in the Aegean sea. The airport is located north of the small town of Skiathos, the capital of this Greek island. It sees only a few daily scheduled flights to Athens by Olympic during the year, but its operating explode during July and August. Indeed, this part of the island is very popular among vacationers. English, Nordic and Italian tourists are very fond of this destination to top charm. These preferences are felt in traffic observed that I will detail below.

The airport is beachfront and the track of barely 1,600 meters runway is at both side surrounded by sea. Given the lack of space, the small road from the airport towards the center and the small tidal harbor passes the threshold. The planes are visible only a few meters! Imagine therefore the sensations can feel the onlookers who flock to the edge of the tiny fence to watch the planes pass only a few meters from their head … An attraction alone stand behind the reactors planes pushing full speed while clinging … a real feast for the spotters, amateurs and curious! Let’s return to the airport itself. It consists of a tiny terminal located west of an oriented 02-20 runway. Currently only two parking permit to park aircraft, so it’s a real headache for controllers to organize arrivals and departures besides that there is no taxiways! But the apron is going to be expand and more parking space are available soon. Runway 02 is mainly used for arrivals and departures, making a movement “back track” far end racket. Question traffic, Olympic Airlines operates scheduled flights to Athens in the morning, afternoon and evening with their Dash8-400. It may be that due to a greater influx, Aegean A320 is engaged on these flights. In July and August, the number of seasonal charter flights are operated mainly on Friday, other days are much quieter. Charter flights are insured by Blue Panorama, TUI, Volotea, SAS, Tarom, Transavia and more. There is no cargo or military activity. Expansion work is currently underway to shortly accommodate more aircraft simultaneously parking and airside new racquet 20 will have more distance.

From the terminal to spotting points at  runway 02 it is just a 10 minutes walk.

For a timetable with the arrivals and departures check the airport website in advance. They are online one day in advance.

Written by Cédric Valence

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Airport Information
Runways
02/20	1.628 m (5.341 ft)
Terminals	One Terminal for all flights. Maximum 3 places for airplanes on the apron.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed
Car/Public Transport	Car is not needed for the southern locations. For the spots on the north you can rent a quad or car.
Restrooms	At both ends there are bars with restrooms
Drinks/Food	At both ends there are bars.
Hotels	There are cheap apartments and plenty of hotels close of the spotting points.
Season	Skiathos is busiest during summer seasons as many vacationers spend their holidays here.
Runway Usage
02/20	Depend of the wind but arrivals and departures are mainly on the runway 02

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	Spot #1 – Xanemos beach
WHERE	The spot is located at the end of runway 20 at the Xanemos beach. From the terminal just follow the road running parallel to the runway to the final destination. Once arrived climb up the little mountain via the footpath, it’s easy! There is even a big free parking.
WHAT	Good for arrivals of RWY20 and departures as well as backtracks for 02 arrivals as they turn around at the end of the ruwway.
TIME	You may take pictures from sunset till amout noon.
MISC.	You ‘ll find food and drink at the beach’s bar.
FOCAL LENGTH	On the line up, A320 at 300mm.

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	Spot #2 – Kaliva Village
WHERE	From the terminal drive northwards along the street to the village of Kalivia. Between two trees, close to the threshold you have a great view of the runway.
WHAT	Great view for all runway movements.
TIME	In the summer the light is good from 3pm till sunset.
MISC.	Take water! There is nothing there and it’s very hot in the summer!
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 at 150mm

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	Spot #3 – Next to the apron
WHERE	From the terminal follow northwards and when you have passed the ramp turn left into a little stone road. Climb the rock and you’ll get a geat view on the runway.
WHAT	Great view on the new apron as well as all runway movements.
TIME	In the summer the light is good from 3pm till sunset.
MISC.	Take water! There is nothing there and it’s very hot in the summer!
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 about 150mm

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	Spot #4 – Amaretto bar
WHERE	A bar with fresh drinks, hot meals, free wifi, shadow. The paradise of the spotters is located just next to the threshold and the city of Skiathos! You can´t miss it.
WHAT	Great spot for 90 degree arrivals shots on runway 20 and 02 departures.
TIME	In the summer the light is good from 3pm till sunset.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Amaretto bar.
FOCAL LENGTH	Use <18mm to 55mm

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	Spot #5 – Approach Path
WHERE	A fantastic place high in sensations! Just next to the Amaretto Bar directly under the approach path.
WHAT	You are directly under the aircraft and can make stunning photos. Also great for RWY20 departures shots when they turn around.
TIME	Light is good there from sunrise till sunset, depend of the angle of the airplane turning on the raquet.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Amaretto bar.
FOCAL LENGTH	Use 18 (or less) to 55mm

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	Spot #6 – Harbour
WHERE	The spot is located on the opposite site of the Amaretto bar.
WHAT	Great spot for 90 degree arrivals shots on runway 20.
TIME	Good from sunrise until noon.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Amaretto bar.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depend where you’re cause you can walk to change the angle, but from 28mm till 100mm for a B737.

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	Spot #7 – Perimeter Fence
WHERE	The spot is on a road situated between a small lake and the airports perimeter fence. Walk along the street and choose your place. Take the pictures over the fence. You don’t need a ladder.
WHAT	Great view for all runway movements.
TIME	Good from sunrise until noon.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Amaretto bar. The grass can be a little bit high and can cut off parts from the landing gear.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 50mm

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	Spot #8 – Hill
WHERE	From the port walk about three minutes along the sea up to the trees where you’ll find a public bench.
WHAT	Take pictures of RWY20 arrivals with the city or the boats at the background.
TIME	Good from sunrise until noon.
MISC.	Everything you need within the Amaretto bar.
FOCAL LENGTH	B737 +- 200mm

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Discover the Skiathos’s personal page of Cedric Valence to see more pictures : www.flyfan.be