…And this was it.

The last push-back for the season 2018 has passed into history.

The Airbus A320 D-AICC of Condor,departed tonight to Munich as Condor 1605, closing one more Skiathos season.

That was a record for last flight during last 10 years or more. All previous years season end not later than 14-18 October.

We expect a lot of changes regarding Skiathos traffic next year, since many changes expected to take place on aviation market (charter carriers) in Europe, related with Skiathos. More details till mid November.

See you all next year with even more landings and jetblast !

Important Notice: Typically summer season closing early 28^th of October with the change of time. According to that, the last flight for summer season at the airport was Sky Express 050/051 from/to Athens with ATR42-500 SX-JOY on Saturday morning. But domestic flights between Athens and Skiathos are operating during winter also. So Condor is international flight considered as last season flight.

The aircraft parked and pushed back from parking position no1.

New towbars delivered!!!

Later during same day a Thomas Cook Airbus A321 parked on stand number 4 for the first time.

After Arke Fly first push back ALL aircraft on the new apron will follow push back procedure.

Photos and Videos by Elliott Kefalas & Giorgos JSI Serris

Same as last year Thomas Cook from Manchester was the first flight in our island.

Thomas Cook flight 1194 with Airbus A321 (G-TCDK) arrived from Manchester around 11:30 in the morning and flew back to Manchester after an hour.
Fraport-Greece, the operator of Skiathos airport arrange a warm welcome to the first flight for the summer with the traditional way, as they did last year.

Safe flights to all for the summer!

Thomas Cookk Airbus A321 (G-TCDK) at Skiathos fresh painted apron.

Flight TCX1195 just before take-off from runway 02 towards Manchester.

First Flights at Skiathos index
First Charter Flight for season 2021: HERE
First Charter Flight for season 2020: HERE
First Charter Flight for season 2019: HERE
First Charter Flight for season 2018: HERE
First Charter Flight for season 2017: HERE

The airport capacity will be now for 6 jet aircraft one (1) turboprop and two (2) light aircraft. However the capacity of the airport according to this post is for 3 jet + 1 turboprop. So there is one more parking stand spare (we will see it full on Fridays definitely).

The new apron layout. The stand No.6 is turboprop size and expect to serve domestic flights from/to Athens. Alternatively may used for three (3) general aviation aircraft parking. The rest two (2) general aviation stands are always available.

Paint works contains marking of stands In front of the old apron for small, turboprop and business jets. This area can accommodate one big turboprop or six light jet/general aviation aircraft.

Those parking positions will also require push back procedure, but we except many exceptions during summer operation (see relevant NOTAM below).

The push back operation expected to start early May. The markings are not yet completed (as of April 19, 2018). We expect soon the final marking of the apron.

There is also a relevant NOTAM for tow bar equipment.

B0358/18 – FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT,DUE TO OPERATIONAL REASONS: 1. FOR IFR/VFR GENERAL AND BUSINESS FLIGHTS PRIOR PERMISSION REQUIRED (PPR) AT LEAST SIX HRS PRIOR ARRIVAL, EXEPT HELICOPTER FLIGHTS ONE HOUR PRIOR NOTICE STATING: -ICAO AIRCRAFT TYPE AND MTOW IN KILOGRAMS. -DATE AND TIME OF ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE. -ORIGIN AND DESTINATION. -HANDLING AGENT/REPRESENTATIVE. 2.ALL PPR REQUESTS AND NOTIFICATIONS MUST BE CLEARED BY A HANDLING AGENT REPRESENTATIVE VIA EMAIL: JSIPPR (AT) FRAPORT-GREECE.COM 3.ALL CAT C GA/BA AIRCRAFTS ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE SUITABLE TOW HEAD AND BAR. IN CASE THAT IS NOT FEASIBLE, RELEVANT INFO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL PPR FOR ALLOCATION PURPOSES. 4.MINIMUM GROUND TIME ALLOWED IS 20 MINUTES FOR ALL FLIGHTS EXLUDING HELICOPTERS. 5.FOR TRAINING AND TEST FLIGHTS PPR FROM AIRPORT OPERATOR AT LEAST 24 HRS. 6.NEW PPR SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO AIRPORT OPERATOR WHEN THERE IS A DEVIATION OF 20 MINUTES FROM ALREADY APPROVED TIMES – STATE MEDICAL,SEARCH AND RESCUE,DIVERSIONS,HUMANITARIAN,MILITARY AND FLIGHTS IN EMERGENCY ARE EXCLUDED FROM PPR PROCEDURE. 04 APR 07:27 2018 UNTIL 03 JUL 23:59 2018. CREATED: 04 APR 07:31 2018

Below images of work in progress:

On this last picture the six parking stands markings are visible.

(photo credits to Giorgos Jsi Serris)

Prices for adults will start from £259* per person and children will receive a £25 discount** when booked to fly with an adult.
FlyLolo is a new company specialising in extra capacity for school holidays at a lower price than the ‘no frills’ airlines from London airports. Its mission statement is to offer reasonably price seats in the school term.

Managing Director of Southampton Airport, Dave Lees, said ‘It is fantastic to offer our first direct route to Greece from Southampton Airport. Flights to Skiathos can be difficult to find, even when traveling to London, so we are delighted to be able to offer this beautiful destination to the south coast. We wish FLyLolo all the best for their new route’.

Paul Dendle, CEO of FlyLolo, said ‘Flylolo are really pleased, and proud, to be the first operator to fly to Greece from Southampton Airport. We see an excellent future for Southampton as an alternative for London, and with the direct rail link, it makes it a fantastic option for passengers from the South East of England. Southampton Airport offers a blend of easy, fast and friendly when compared to other airports. With the added value of us providing ATOL protected flights with Flybe, child discounts, and no credit card charges, we believe we have a winning combination.’

Southampton airport welcomed its highest ever number of passengers, with 2.08 million passengers travelling through the Airport in 2017 which was 6.1% higher than the previous year.
Dave Lees, Managing Director of Southampton Airport, said: “2017 was the Airport’s busiest year ever on record. The growth was drive by a combination of new routes and new airlines, giving even greater choice to people in our region. Southampton now has 40 destinations served by over 10 airlines and tour operators. ”

2017 saw the introduction of new routes to Ibiza with TUI, Rodez in the South of France with Flybe and Easyjet commenced flights to Geneva in December. 2018 is also looking to be an exciting year for the airport with new routes to Menorca with TUI and Skiathos with Fly LoLo.

Photo of July 10, 2018 flight from Southampton with special livery E-195