Caution: Based on data and experiences of Summer 2006, not updated since!

 

Introduction

Skiathos might be a small island, but its airport, LGSK/JSI, named after local writer Alexandros Papadiamandis is well wort a visit, mainly because of the low approaches and the thrilling spot directly behind the treshold. JSI is a small airport, capable only of handling 3 aircraft at the same time. Another limiting factor is the extremely short runway.

JSI is located just east of the pretty Skiathos town and can well be reached on foot. It’s about a 15min walk along the cost from town to the main spotting area, 10mins more to the terminal. The town’s bus stop is also on the eastern end, close to the airport. From here, buses run regularily to the holiday areas and beaches in the south of the island. I recommend renting a bicycle (4-8 Euro per day if I recall correctly) which allows you to head to the terminal or into town to buy some refreshments. 

Caution: I was chased by a group of rather aggressive stray dogs on the way from Spot 1 to the Terminal. This was only the case early in the morning, when there was no traffic on the road and I was about the only person around. However, they were too slow for me on my bicycle, so renting one sounds like a safe idea :) Good luck!

Procedures

Most of the time, Rwy02 is in use. However, during calm winds, it may occur that some landings take place on Rwy20, which is shorter for all the charters arriving from the north.
However, even in this case the spots at the southern end (spot 1-3) work fine, as the aircraft will taxi all the way down after landing to turn around.

Traffic

Well, Skiathos isn’t Heathrow, and you should definitely take a good book with you.
Friday is the best day with by far the most movements, virtually all of them english charters. In July 2006 I had: 9x Excel, 6x First Choice, 2x Monarch 2x Astreus, 2x Air One. Most are A320/B737, but also some 757.
Monday has mainly scandinavian traffic, but far less movements than Friday. Some Novair and SAS can be seen.
Wednesday has some UK charters, but not really a lot.
Tuesday as well as Saturday see a nice mix of european traffic, but by far not as busy as Friday.

Flightstats.com might be a good option to check for flights before you go.

Here's all traffic from Friday, July 28, 2006 (departure times, all other types were A320/B737)

Airline	Callsign	Destination	Time	Type
Lithuanian	4526	MXP via Araxos	09:55
Air Italy	229	MXP via Kos	10:30
Air One	8220	FCO via Kos	10:50
Astreus	476	MAN	11:15
Air Malta	4509	BHX via Kavala	12:10
Astreus	322	LGW	12:30	B757
Excel	5079	LGW via Lemnos	13:05
First Choice	4525	LGW via Thessaloniki	13:30	B757
Excel	2007	MAN via Volos	14:00
Excel	963	EMA via Kavala	14:25
First Choice	2515	MAN via Thessaloniki	15:00
Excel	6047	BRS via Kavala	15:30
Excel	4151	NCL via Kavala	15:55
Excel	2409	MAN	16:20	B757
First Choice	4525	LGW	16:30
Excel	5273	LGW	17:30
Excel	5285	LGW via Volos	17:40
Excel	5273	LGW	17:45
First Choice	2515	MAN	18:00
First Choice	4553	LGW	18:35
Monarch	1579	LGW	19:00	B757
Monarch	1275	MAN	20:40	B757
Air One	8525	FCO	21:00
First Choice	4553	LGW	21:35

ATC-Frequencies

Macedonia Radar	135.25
DEL/GND/TWR/APP	126.05

Spotting Points

Location 1: Threshold Rwy02

For sure the most impressive spot. A small road runs close behind the treshold of Rwy02. The fence is only chest-high, so you don’t need a ladder. Impressive for backtracks and takeoffs, but also for the low landings.
Caution: The jet blast is VERY strong, be sure to have your bags out of reach! If you don’t like your current haircut, go ahead, but be warned, it’s hot, sandy and windy, but quite a thrill to stand behind an MD-80 applying Takeoff-thrust. There’s also a small, pebbly beach just behind the runway.

	A 15min walk from downtown along the (empty) main road hugging the coast
	Taverna/Café nearby, beach and a small harbour
	18-55 is enough for backtracking and landing aircraft
	Low approaches Rwy 02, backtracks Rwy 02
	All day

Approach Rwy02

Backtracking

This is it!

Feeling the power!

 

 

Location 2: The trailer

On the eastern side of the beginning of Rwy02, an abandoned truck trailer is parked beside the road. Nobody cared when I climbed up there, you get nice shots of arriving aircraft with the town in the background. Touchdowns on Rwy02 can be shot as well, as can be backtracks (but here spot 1's probably more impressive)

	A 2min walk from spot 1. Follow the road on the eastern side of the runway
	See spot 1
	75mm for approach shots, 100-200mm for touchdowns
	Approach and touchdown Rwy 02
	First half of the day

Approach Rwy 02

Touchdown Rwy 02

 

 

Location 3: Long term car park

Just south of the terminal is a big, paved parking area. It is slightly elevated, allowing you to see over the fence onto the runway, or to have a look at the tarmac through the fence.

	From Spot 1: A 10min walk along the western perimeter road; from the Terminal: A 5min walk to the south
	At the Terminal
	50-100mm for runway movements, 100+ for apron shots
	Touchdowns, runway movements, apron views
	Second half of the day

Landing Rwy02, morning

On the runway

On the tarmac

 

 

Location 4: Terminal Caféteria

There is a Caféteria on the second floor of the terminal. It offers good apron views, altough through (quite dirty and slightly tinted) windows.

	Head to the second floor of the terminal
	At the terminal
	50-100mm
	Apron and possibly runway shots
	Second half of the day

Caféteria can be seen in the top right corner

 

 

Location 5: Xanemos Beach

On the northern side of the airport, this sandy beach is a nice place to stay. You can try to shoot aircraft from down there, or climb up one of the hills it is framed by for fantastic views. Please note: I've never visited that beach myself.

	Use the road that runs all along the eastern side of the runway. There seems to be a bus service to the beach, too
	Small café at the beach
	Aircraft approaching Rwy20, low departures out of Rwy 02
	Should be okay all day
Check:	Photo: Approaching over the beach Photo: View from the top of the hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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