Skiathos International Airport Explained

Skiathos International Airport "Alexandros Papadiamantis"
Nativename-A:Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Σκιάθου «Αλέξανδρος Παπαδιαμάντης»
Image2-Width:250
Iata:JSI
Icao:LGSK
Pushpin Map:Greece
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in Greece
Pushpin Label:JSI
Pushpin Label Position:right
Type:Public
Operator:Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group joint venture
Location:Skiathos, Greece
Elevation-F:54
Elevation-M:16
Coordinates:39.1775°N 23.5037°W
Website:jsi-airport.gr
R1-Number:01/19
R1-Length-F:5,341
R1-Length-M:1,628
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2022
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:511,611
Stat2-Header:Passenger traffic change
Stat2-Data: 148.3%
Stat3-Header:Aircraft movements
Stat3-Data:4,843
Stat4-Header:Aircraft movements change
Stat4-Data: 63.0%
Footnotes:Sources:Fraport Greece[1]

Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport is an airport on the island of Skiathos, Greece. Its 5341feet runway is able to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767-200. The runway is characterised as 'short and narrow'. Because of the uneven terrain on the island of Skiathos, Skiathos Airport was created by reclaiming land from the sea between Skiathos island and the smaller island of Lazareta (a former leper colony) effectively joining the two islands into one larger island, though it was however built on land already part of Skiathos. The place was chosen by a mechanic who lived in Volos. The airport is named after Alexandros Papadiamantis, a Greek novelist and native of the island.

The airport's short runway and its proximity to an adjacent public road have made it a popular destination for planespotters. It is often compared to Princess Juliana International Airport on Saint Maarten since both airports offer the public an ability to legally experience landing approaches and takeoffs at very close range.[2] [3]

History

The airport first operated in 1972.[4]

A passenger terminal and a new control tower was constructed in 1988. In 2001 the terminal was closed down by a minor earthquake, and a new passenger terminal opened in 2002, to better accommodate the growing number of passengers.

From 2019, as part of the Fraport construction works the airport has 2 current terminals. Terminal 1 was reconstructed and is currently the Domestic Terminal, and Terminal 2 is for international arrivals.

Skiathos Airport has no jetways, meaning, prior to the 2016 work, passengers walked the short distance from the aircraft to the terminal building, now, a collection of buses drive passengers the short distance.

From 2014, there was extension to the runway and a new taxiway was introduced. The runway was extended by 110 metres on the north side of the airport. An extension was added to the taxiway, for an additional 4–5 parking stands. The airport has the capacity for only 6 additional parking stands. This opened in 2016.

The island has only a roundabout at the airport, and 1 set of traffic lights at the end of the runway.

In December 2015, the privatization of Skiathos Island National Airport and 13 other regional airports of Greece was finalised with the signing of the agreement between the Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group joint venture and the state privatization fund.[5] "We signed the deal today," the head of Greece's privatization agency HRADF, Stergios Pitsiorlas, told Reuters.[6] According to the agreement, the joint venture will operate the 14 airports (including Skiathos Island National Airport) for 40 years as of 11 April 2017.[7]

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Skiathos Airport:

Traffic figures

The data taken from the official website of the airport.[8]

YearPassengers
DomesticInternationalTotal
200916,470218,601235,071
201016,880213,609230,489
201120,473226,185246,658
201218,465236,440254,905
201325,216240,557265,773
201432,097283,300315,397
201534,560318,523353,083
201644,174350,827395,001
201743,740380,366424,106
201848,228389,688437,916
2019 55,535390,684446,219
2020 19,54169,37588,916
2021 34,666171,341206,007
2022 49,775 461,836511,611
202358,821494,023552,844
2024(Jul)31.147292.123323.270

Traffic statistics by country (2022)

Place! style="text-align:center; width:150px; height:30px;"
CountryTotal pax
1 United Kingdom192,305
2 Italy89,464
3 Greece49,775
4 Sweden28,440
5 Austria25,553
6 Germany25,409
7 Romania15,862
8 Netherlands13,676
9 Denmark12,647
10 Norway11,876
11 Serbia10,094
12 Cyprus10,087
13 France8,367
14 Switzerland5,797
15 Poland5,651

[9]

Ground transport

Skiathos Airport is located 4.5 km from the city of Skiathos and is accessible either from Skiathos ringroad or the coast road. The journey to and from the city centre takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. 24/7 metered taxi service is available outside the Skiathos Airport Terminal building.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SKIATHOS AIRPORT "A.PAPADIAMANTIS".
  2. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Web site: Skiathos Airport 2011 [The Film] ]. YouTube.
  3. Web site: Passenger jets skim over tourists' heads at Skiathos Island Airport in Greece . 9 August 2016 . Stuff . 15 June 2019 .
  4. Web site: Skiathos Airport . 2015-04-10 . dead . https://archive.today/20150410204125/http://www.alxd.gr/AirportGuide/skiathos/skiathosE.html . 10 April 2015 .
  5. News: Greece signs privatization of 14 regional airports with Germany's Fraport. tornosnews.gr. 14 December 2015. 16 July 2017.
  6. News: Greece signs major privatisation deal with Germany's Fraport. uk.reuters.com. 14 December 2015. 16 July 2017.
  7. News: Fraport Greece Begins 40-Year Concession at 14 Greek Regional Airports. fraport-greece.com. 16 July 2017.
  8. Web site: Skiathos Airport (JSI).
  9. Web site: Traffic Report by Country. Skiathos Airport "Alexandros Papadiamandis".