Possible good news from Greece

Real-er than we can all believe.

Its (been) an extremely lengthy process but things are progressing slowly step by step.
Theoretically, “soon” there shall be an ability to fly to

• Milos LGML
• Astypalaia LGPL
• Syros LGSO
• Kastelorizo LGKJ

beyond published operation hours with Prior Notice.
These are for a starter “evaluation” period.
More to follow later.
Relevant post in Greek here.

Soon there shall also be news for the wonderful island of Limnos LGLM where due to some … issues between rival ground handling companies there (specifically) has not been any AOPA discount applied for years and the bill was amounting to a fixed 300+ Euro per visit.
It now looks like there’ll soon be a flat charge of 100€+VAT for AOPA members with no extra strings attached.

Fraport’s daylight robbery of Greek airports’ income stream has really buggered Greece for GA. One of the best airports was Samos LGSM – until Fraport set up their thieving operation

Ioanina LGIO is very nice and the one to use today, but is surrounded by mountains so you need good wx. I have been in and out of there in IMC and you need to be sure of what you are doing.

You need a long range plane; then you can fly Croatia-LGST and do all of Greece comfortably. Except LGST was shut to foreigners during CV19.

Peter wrote:

Fraport’s daylight robbery of Greek airports’ income stream has really buggered Greece for GA

Fraport’s charges are not the main issue; they are somewhat higher than public (CAA) airports but they’re not “crazy” numbers.
https://www.fraport-greece.com/eng/our-expertise-and-services/aviation/airport-charges

The issue with your final bill is the overhead that comes from the GROUND HANDLING companies; its a “take it or leave it” oligopoly style of operation…
The apparent excuse of these companies is the high charges they face in Fraport airports for rental of office space etc. etc.

petakas wrote:

Peter wrote:

Fraport’s daylight robbery of Greek airports’ income stream has really buggered Greece for GA
Fraport’s charges are not the main issue; they are somewhat higher than public (CAA) airports but they’re not “crazy” numbers.
https://www.fraport-greece.com/eng/our-expertise-and-services/aviation/airport-charges

The issue with your final bill is the overhead that comes from the GROUND HANDLING companies; its a “take it or leave it” oligopoly style of operation…
The apparent excuse of these companies is the high charges they face in Fraport airports for rental of office space etc. etc.

That may be what @Peter was trying to say. Fraport is robbing the airport’s (and handlers’) income stream by charging them outlandish rent, which of course they need to recuperate from pilots.

Well, it is a bit of both.

When the Greek handlers saw Fraport’s daylight robbery and that people were paying the fees, they naturally thought “wow – can we have some of that ourselves”

Not dissimilar to Russians stealing washing machines in the Ukraine. I mean, what is not to like?

Result: €400 to land at LGSM.

Anyway, let’s focus on something good finally coming along. Let’s all wish Kyp and AOPA GR all success!

Hi! What’s the situation after a couple of years?
I would really like to visit Greece this spring/summer.
I have been gathering information but still I’m not sure where to go and what to avoid, especially because rules and prices change without notice or at least I don’t know where to look, other than this forum, AOPA Greece and SkyDemon pilot’s notes.
Is there a sort of “Greece for dummies” page to help beginners? A sort of “starter kit” that says “go to this this and this, this is doable but expensive, avoid that one.”?
Thanks

Apart from the infos on aopa.gr, I guess a basic summary on prices would be:

• Unless you are happy to pay between 200 and 400 Euros (as an AOPA member) for say a couple of days with an SEP, you need to avoid the 14 Fraport airports:

• In addition, pay attention to Corfu LGKR in summer, as on top, they charge a couple thousand Euros as a “GAT fee”

• Athens LGAV is rather a bit less expensive than the Fraport airports, but will not allow much parking anyway. In holiday season, parking is also impossible at Mikonos (LGMK) and Santorini (LGSR)

• The remainder of the airports in Greece tend to cost less than the fraport ones, due to lower landing and parking fees. But check with the local handling agents beforehand (make sure to get the AOPA handling rate, as far as available.)

Don’t forget to plan carefully because of mandatory port of entry, challenging work hours, fuel availability and parking restrictions. Don’t take anything for granted, triple-check any price (fuel especially) and get the confirmation that no additional fees will be charged (like last minute customs/immigration fee, or card payment fee or whatever they use to invent once you’re already there and can’t avoid). Other then trying to catch you off guard with these small inconveniences Greeks are nice and friendly and Greece is great country to visit – nature, sea, beaches, history, arts, food – you name it, they have it.