The Skiathos Bulletin Board

neecy · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Burnley

Hi all. Been to Skiathos lots of times but a few years ago it was raining on arrival and we had to circle for what seemed like ages because the runway was wet? The pilot said that if it didn't dry out we may have to land in Thessaloniki and get the ferry (he was running out of fuel?). Been looking at the weather forecast for next week and it doesn't look too good (arriving Wednesday). Has this happened to anyone else? Can aircraft land in wet weather, surely they must, I know the runway is short but what about the winter flights (suppose they're smaller planes). Can you tell I'm not a brilliant flyer?

Cheshire Cats · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Chester UK

We had a similar experience a few years back, on approach the weather was not good, raining and windy.
The pilot made three attempts to land pulling out each time. He did explain that he was unhappy with the approach, by the time he had attempted the third landing the weather was getting worse and by this time the light was starting to go.
The pilot explained this and informed everyone that he was flying to Athens to pick up a more experienced pilot to land the plane. This he did and everything was fine. You have really to respect the pilot for taking this decision it must not have been easy for him to admit he was nervous of landing on Skiathos in those poor conditions.
You will be fine the pilots don't take any risks...so stop worrying. Enjoy your holiday.
_________________
We started with nothing and we have most of it left.

Ian · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:11 am Post subject:

This usually happens after a torrential downpour, and where there is standing water on the runway. Each landing is different and the weight of the plane, length of runway are deciding factors.

Two Sundays ago we experienced lengthy storms and heavy rain, yet there were aircraft landing at Skiathos in that weather.

The last few fridays the majority of landings were from the north, and down the hill and departing over the harbour due to the weather, the breezes coming from the south.
_________________

Counting down the months to the next visit - Click here to see why ...

neecy · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Burnley

Thanks for replying. I'm not that bad really especially after a couple of wines! Just a bit apprehensive and always glad to be back on the ground! Think I would have been a bit worried on your plane Cheshire Cats!

adrianxw · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:12 am Post subject:

Yesterday morning, Novair diverted their 3 morning flights, (Stockholm, Gothenborg and Oslo), to Thessaoniki because of water on the runway. They fly in with Boeing 757's. Our Scandinavian Airlines AirBus 319 was within spec and had no problems.

Thing was, all the passengers from the 3 big flights had already been checked in, so it was sardines in the departure lounge.

Had been raining almost without a break since Friday, (19th), night - never seen anything like that before.
_________________
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

tazzyboy · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Colchester,Essex

We returned last friday from 2 weeks in skiathos,had 11 continuous days of rain.Our greek friends said that they had never seen anything like it in 30 plus years!

Didnt get a suntan,but went rusty instead!

It was also very cold,was told that on tues/weds the temp dropped 10 degrees in one day Shocked

also quite deserted due to the XL issue
_________________
Would love to live in Skiathos-heaven!