According to ANA Cargo’s A320/321 specifications, the Airbus A320 can load:
Forward hold — 3 containers
Aft hold — 4 containers
Total capacity: 7 containers per A320.

This capability is why airlines such as Discover Airlines (Lufthansa Group) can operate full containerized baggage loading on their A320s — even at smaller airports like Skiathos.

Why Most Airlines Don’t Use Containers on A320s
Even though the aircraft supports ULDs, most carriers still choose bulk loading because:

Specialized equipment is required
Many small airports (including Skiathos) are not optimized for container operations
Bulk loading is cheaper and simpler for short‑haul flights

This makes Discover Airlines’ operation at Skiathos truly unique for Summer 2025, as they are the only airline using containerized loading on the island.

#A320 #A320neo #AirbusA320 #ULD #LD345 #AKH #ContainerLoading #Aviation #AviationGeek #AircraftOperations #GroundHandling #DiscoverAirlines #LufthansaGroup #Skiathos #SkiathosAirport #JSI #Summer2025 #AviationLovers #PlaneSpotting #AirportOperations

This first arrival marks the transition from the quiet winter months to the vibrant, high‑energy atmosphere that defines Skiathos every summer. For aviation enthusiasts, locals, and visitors alike, the season opener is always a symbolic moment — a reminder that the island is waking up and preparing for another year of tourism, traffic, and unforgettable approaches over the beach.

A special thank you goes to George from Amaretto Snack Bar, who captured the video of this first landing. His contribution helps preserve these unique moments that make Skiathos one of the most iconic spotting locations in Europe.

With the first touchdown now behind us, the runway is officially open for another season of spectacular arrivals, low approaches, and the unmistakable summer rhythm of Skiathos Airport.

Full video here: https://youtu.be/sivyrqo-8D0?si=5nkxtee9tlSGqWjq

A unique visitor in our airport
Embraer E195-E2 Profit Hunter Livery – the Tech Eagle registration PR-ZIQ
ATH 14:00L – JSI
JSI 21:00L – ATH

Videos on https://www.youtube.com/@skiathoslandings

Update 13SEP2024-20:45 – The aircraft expected to land in Athens at 18:00L from Gran Canaria

“ENJOY YOUR HOBBY WITHOUT RISKING YOUR LIFE”

Since standing behind jetblast is not a hobby, the meaning is for SPOTTING! SO here in Greece, in SKIATHOS, we have the FIRST EVER official SPOTTING LOCATION in the country.

The new signs placed above the old, on one side (west side) of the runway only, and not on the east side, where the assigned backtrack turn is taking place.

Below you can find our first LIVE video on skiathoslandings YouTube channel.The old signs were placed on both sides. Three signs west of the runway center line, and two placed east.

Just for history warning signs placed on 13 October 2016 within Amaretto Snack Bar area with cooperation of skiathoslandings.com (see this link)
The same signs on October 2016 during the last flight of that summer season. (see here)

It was flight TOM-4142 from London-Gatwick operated by Boeing 737-800 (G-TAWK).

The crew give a warm salute, by placing a Greek flag, at the captain’s’ side window, after the aircraft came into complete stop.

Just for history, the previous similar flight at Skiathos, TOM-4142, was on 20 September 2021 and operated by Boeing 757-200 G-OOBN.

WELCOME TUI Air at Skiathos!

It was Transavia (France), flight TO-3670 from Paris-Orly, with Boeing 737-800 (F-HTVP). Also it was the first flight from France in the island after more than 20 years! The flight arrived at 10:24 and departed at 11:24.

That route was supposed to start in 2021, but due to COVID pandemic we finally have the first landing this year.

The date of the arrival of the first flight this year is also a milestone in the history of the airport. It was the earliest arrival of aircraft for years. Soon we will post more details about that fact.

The first flight was streamed live on skiathoslandings youtube channel.
The live is available below.

TUI Air “Skiathos” Boeing 737 MAX 8 (G-TUMH) made its first flight on 19 March 2019 with registration N1786B with call sign “BOEING-867”, from the assembly line factory Renton (RNT) to Boeing Field (BFI).

On 1 April 2019 one more test flight was performed locally at Boeing Field (BFI) using once more call sign “BOEING-867”. Since then was parked at Boeing Field (BFI) waiting for the delivery flight.

Finally the airplane was delivered to TUI Air on 12 March 2021. Flew from Boeing factory in Seattle, nonstop to London Gatwick, as TOM-943P.

On 4 June 2021 was transferred from London Gatwick to Manchester in order to perform its first revenue flight. The first revenue flight was on 14 June 2021 from Manchester to Corfu as TOM-2120.

On 10 August 2021 G-TUMH with name “Skiathos” arrived at Skiathos airport as TOM-2200 from Manchester.

Skiathoslandings.com was present and with help of Fraport Greece and Hellenic civil Aviation Authority (Air Traffic Control) we all welcomed the airplane to our island!

Total four Boeing 737-8 Max are carrying Greek Island name. Those are:
G-TUMS Rhodos
G-TUMT Chania
G-TUMG Samos
G-TUMH Skiathos

Aircraft details
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Serial Number/Line Number: 44602/7439
Engines: 2x CFMI LEAP-1B
HEX: 407739
Configuration: 189 passengers single economy
Aircraft name: Skiathos

It was Transavia HV-1861 arrived from Amsterdam with Boeing 737-800 (PH-HSJ) and departed as HV-1861 back to Amsterdam via Mitilini.

Of course if we compare this late date of first flight with last year, 2020, with no flights from Netherlands at all, we may consider it as a positive result!

Rolling back the years we are publishing two photos of the “season start” on 2008. It was Monday 28 April 2008 with two flights from Amsterdam.

The first was Arkefly and the second was Transavia, both with Boeing 737-800.

Even during recent years Arkefly used to open the season… Here is another video of 2019 with an Arkefly/TUI Netherlands Boeing 737-800 opening the season.

TUS Airways fleet renewal completed with the replacement of old Fokker 70/100 aircraft by Airbus A320.
The renewal was announced on 2019 but due Boeing 737Max grounding and next year due COVID-19 plans delayed.

The first flight was merged with Cyprus Airways flight, depicts the situation during the second summer season by COVID-19.

TUS Airways Larnaca flight operated every Monday and Friday
Cyprus Airways flight is every Monday and Wednesday

We will expect to see more merged flights between the two carries on that route since load figures are looking very low.

It was British Airways / City Flyer CFE-2225 from London-City with Embraer 190SR (G-LCYL), arrived at 14:12 and departed at 15:04.

During the first summer after COVID-19 pandemic, summer of 2020, the first flight from U.K. arrived on 15 July 2020 by Jet2.com (video of that flight HERE)

The difference of 6 days between the two seasons is not a good number at all….