For those traveling in November by plane, weI just got notice that our flights from and to Corfu are going to be diverted to Preveza, due to construction work on part of the runway, from Nov 5 till Nov 25. This only seems to affect larger planes.
Just so you know.......
Message posted by tipografio on 25 October 2006 at 4:34pm - IP Logged
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My understanding is that, during this period, only propeller driven aircraft operated by Olympic Airways will be using the airport. Moreover, due to take off performance matters departing aircraft will carry a maximum only 30 passengers - arriving aircraft will carry 40.
Martyn
Message posted by Stuart on 25 October 2006 at 7:03pm - IP Logged
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Well, at least they seem to have learnt their lesson after the "Sticky Monday" debacle earlier this year when they decided to re-surface the runway just after the season started.
Do you remember all the delays and diverted flight problems that were caused when the tyres of the first couple of incoming Monday morning planes got clogged up by the still-sticky tarmac?
Hopefully, the repairs they are carrying out in November will help to avoid that sort of thing next year.
Stuart
Message posted by MartynG on 25 October 2006 at 8:52pm - IP Logged
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Stuart - I was on the Excell flight that was delayed for the full 6 hours (not their fault) and was also on the Excell flight delayed on Monday this week for 19 hours. Sticky tarmac was a simple problem!
Martyn
Message posted by Stuart on 25 October 2006 at 8:57pm - IP Logged
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Hi
The information from NOTAMS (Notices to Airmen) contains the following:
Work will commence on runway 17 (that's the northern end of the runway) at 12.01am on 5th November and will be completed at 11.59pm on 25th November and will encompass the first 1263m. However, the threshold will be moved 1423m towards the south - note here that the maximum runway length is 2375m, so only 950m will be available (the Avro RJ100 needs 1175m). Vehicles up to 3m in height will be working on the closed section.
During this time, the aircraft parking area (apron) will be unavailable with the consequence that aircraft will be serviced on the runway (loading/unloading and refuelling etc) so only one aircraft can be handled at a time - prior notification is essential.
Given the restricted length of the runway only limited types of aircraft will be able to land/take off.
Martyn
Message posted by Mercoledì on 27 October 2006 at 11:35am - IP Logged
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As I have booked a flight from Athens to Corfu on the 11th of Nov with Aegean (with which I usually travel), I called their office in Corfu airport and asked about the situation. Till now they didn't change their plan for flights and have confirm mine. Let you know the news on next days,
bye Mercoledì
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 27 October 2006 at 12:59pm - IP Logged
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Mercoledi.....Strange that Aegean are not taking any bookings for this priod! and the info came from a travel agent on the island, it may be that your flight will be diverted elsewhere and then you will be shipped/ Ferried to corfu, or maybe you will be on one of the smaller propeller driven aircraft!
Dave.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 27 October 2006 at 1:12pm - IP Logged
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Well, the airport is shut for incoming traffic this morning due to fog. Can't really understand it though as I can just make out Corfu town from my house which is 8 miles away. I thought it may be a sea mist but looking at the webcam you can see Albania which is about 2 miles away. My neighbour is at the airport and has just phoned to say that the planes are being diverted to the mainland and Italy and the airport is now getting very crowded as more people arrive
Message posted by Mercoledì on 27 October 2006 at 2:45pm - IP Logged
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I know that they are not taking any booking at the moment, but I have my ticket since the 5th of October, when they already known about works in Airport. I think they will use a smaller plane and a pilot very skilled on short takeoff and landing
Mercoledì
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 27 October 2006 at 6:10pm - IP Logged
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I'm sorry, but fog and the restrictions on the operation of the airport have absolutely no correlation whatsoever.
If you read my earlier posting, the runway will be restricted to 950m. Graham - you might be able to see for miles horizontally, but if, on approach to a runway, you cannot see the ground (depending upon the category of your approach) landing is precluded. This might be as little as 400 ft - but if you as the pilot you cannot see the runway, there is a legal obligation to "go around"
The Notams mentioned in my previous post have legal effect - if you ignore them you (as the pilot) do so at your own peril. Only in a genuine emergency can these restrictions be ignored, but even then, given an available runway length of 950m obstructed by construction vehicles, you would have to be very, very desperate to make such an approach.
Martyn
Message posted by Mercoledì on 27 October 2006 at 9:35pm - IP Logged
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yes I think we need that kind of pilot. I should try to ask if someone from our National Air Force (have you ever heard about our Acrobatic Team "Frecce Tricolori"?) is free that day! I'm just jocking!
Martyn,
I wrote what they said to me this morning, I don't know anything else. By the way, if they decide they are able to takeoff and landing, I will be inside the plane. I trust in the pilot... if he flies, why I haven't to?
Mercoledì
Message posted by Thunderbird One on 28 October 2006 at 2:45pm - IP Logged
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I have a flight booked with Aegean from ATH-CFU on 11th Nov. I have just had a phone call from Aegean Changing the departure times from ATH bringing it forward. This means I will now miss my flight as I don't arrive in ATH in time. I will now have to come out the day before and nightstop in ATH. Can anyone recommend a hotel close to the airport please? Aegean will now be using an ATR aircraft (one with propellers as it doesn't need as much runway to stop) on this route rather than the one planned (don't know what that was).
What a palarva!
Message posted by Thunderbird One on 28 October 2006 at 8:03pm - IP Logged
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Does anyone have any other info yet on the closure?? it seems that Aegean are taking bookings via their website!! and LTU are not taking bookings prior to the 28th November.
The airport website seems pretty poor with no information at all regarding the closure or the reason for it! its hard to believe that it will be closed for such a long period with no way of flying in or out of the island.
Dave.
Message posted by Mercoledì on 04 November 2006 at 5:32pm - IP Logged
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The airport will not be closed. What I can tell you about my flight, is that they changed the flight datetime. I will leave three hours earlier and we will fly with a small plane with propellers. (They told me the model but I don't remember now). No restrictions for the size and weight of the baggage.
This is what Aegean does. I can't help you with other companies.
Bye Mercoledì
Message posted by Thunderbird One on 04 November 2006 at 7:59pm - IP Logged
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The runway will be closed to all flight from 17:00 local time as repair works are been carried out from 5th to 25th November. Aegean will be using an ATR aircraft which is propeller type which doesn't need as much runway to stop.
Message posted by manasta on 06 November 2006 at 8:36am - IP Logged
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Aegean Airlines anounce that due to the works in Corfu airport changes the type of airplane to smaller ones (46 seats) but increases the flights to/from Athens from two to three daily.
New departures from Athens are: 7:30, 11:30, 15:30. Valid from November 6th to November 26th.
Message posted by MartynG on 06 November 2006 at 9:17am - IP Logged
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As I said before in my earlier posts - 950m of the runway remains open at all times. Clearly, this only allows smaller aircraft such as the F27 and ATR to operate. Due to the runway restictions, even these aircraft will be subject to performance limitations which may mean fewer passengers on departures than arrivals.
Also, as there will be no access to the aircraft parking area in front of the terminal, flights will be loaded and unloaded on the runway. Therefore the airport can only handle one aircraft at a time.
Martyn
Message posted by Deedee on 06 November 2006 at 12:49pm - IP Logged
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Deedee
A friend of mine is travelling out to Corfu today, he is flying Manchester to Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf to Athens then with Olympic from Athens to Corfu. He is aware of the work at the airport but hasn't been notified about any diversions. I probably won't know until weekend but I'm waiting to hear whether his flight actually lands at Corfu or not.
Deedee
Message posted by MartynG on 06 November 2006 at 1:53pm - IP Logged
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Martyn...do you know what the work actually is that they are doing at Corfu airport??? they could do with a 2nd runway which would help! although a new airport would be the answer.....maybe in the Ropa valley...whether that is possible or not i have no idea.
Dave.
Message posted by Rog on 06 November 2006 at 4:18pm - IP Logged
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I know what you mean but, no way can they think of the Ropa Valley as the site of a new airport.
You have so many traditional and beautiful Villages in that area. Liapades, Marmarro, Gardelades and Skripero to name but a few. An Airport in the area would completely ruin the ambience of the whole area.
If they're going to build anywhere they must look to the far north or south where any disturbance will be limited as you have the coast on one side.
Rog
Message posted by Deedee on 06 November 2006 at 4:24pm - IP Logged
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Deedee
Quote: Originally posted by MartynG on 06 November 2006
Hi Deedee
Lynn is flying Olympic from Gatwick via Athens during the works. No diversions, just smaller, turboprop aircraft on the Athens/Corfu leg.
Martyn
Thanks Martyn.
Turboprop? - that's not the kind that you have to use a crank to start the engine for is it?
Deedee
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 06 November 2006 at 6:46pm - IP Logged
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Rog...last time i passed through Skripero it wasnt in the Ropa valley...lol unless there is another one??
I know what you mean but in the North there is nowhere to build one butthere is in the south..the middle of the island is too built up and hilly thats why the Ropa valley sadly would be ideal!!
Dave.
Message posted by MartynG on 06 November 2006 at 7:08pm - IP Logged
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The runway is being resurfaced for roughly 2/3rds of its length, hence the restrictions. There is no second runway being constructed - I seiously doubt that there is the space on the existing site to create a second airstrip (and I doubt that, in general terms, it would be financially viable in any event.
Deedee - tuboprop aircraft have turbine engines (which work in a similr way to jets, but use propellors for drive, rather than thrust. We are not talking "hand swung" biplanes here, I promise!
Martyn
Message posted by Rog on 06 November 2006 at 7:09pm - IP Logged
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I know Skripero isn't exactly in the Ropa Valley but it's not that far. Walking from Liapades up past Gardelades and crossing the Paleo Road it's only about a half hour walk or so. It's surprising how many Villages there are in a radius of three or four miles.
When you've got Aircraft circling overhead it might as well be in the Valley for the disruption it would cause.
The way they've been destroying the Mountain at the Quarry up near Troubetta they'll soon have a big enough space available to put the Airport there.
Rog
Message posted by dennys on 06 November 2006 at 7:15pm - IP Logged
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Many years ago there was a plan to build a new airport on the salt flats at Lefkimmi in the south of the island .
Those that have been around a while did you hear about this ?
I think if my memory serves me right it was all linked to the port in lefkimmi and the new highway which is slowly making its way north bypassing all the villages on the way .....and also so the masterplan says a bypass around corfu town to link up with the high speed motorway we now have going out to tzavros from corfu town .
Does anyone remember all these rumours from around 20 years ago ?
At least the motorway from the south has started ..
Lefkimmi and Perivoli now have a bypass with Argirades coming next !
Message posted by MartynG on 06 November 2006 at 8:38pm - IP Logged
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The Ropa Valley itself may be fairly flat, but it is surrounded by hills. This may have a significant impact upon "terrain clearance" - that is the hight by which an aircraft must be above solid bits of ground during landing and climb out after take off. I wonder if there is sufficient flant lad to allow safe operation? Also, hills are notorious for creating wildly shifting winds, which make aircraft operations very tricky, particularly in bad weather.
Personally, I'm not sure that I approve of destroying productive, fertile land, for the sake of an airport.
I do recall mention of the Lefkimi plan, but I doubt that there is sufficient space there for a major airport - any more than there is at Corfu, as at present.
Martyn
Message posted by Rog on 06 November 2006 at 9:08pm - IP Logged
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The ropa Plain also gets very, very hot in August as it's sheltered by the hills. We were looking at buying a house there but a Greek friend advised us against it.
Rog
Message posted by Stuart on 06 November 2006 at 9:17pm - IP Logged
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Is there really any need for either a second runway or a new airport?
The runway repairs are only taking a few days and have at least been scheduled for outsidee the holiday season so they will be disrupting a minimal number of flights.
I admit that, during the holiday season, Mondays can be particularly chaotic at the airport but couldn't that be sorted out by reallocating the flights for one or two nationalities to a different day rather than concentrating that number of flights for the same day?
As for relocating the airport to somewhere like the Ropa Valley, that might put the resorts in the south at a bit of a disadvantage - the current airport location is pretty central for anywhre on the island.
Stuart
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 06 November 2006 at 10:54pm - IP Logged
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Martyn..yes i agree with you with regard to the surrounding hills etc and possible turbulance but im sure all that would be taken into account along with the height of everything.
Stuart i think that the airport building to survive effectively needs to be extended as it is far too small certainly for the summer months and if the island is to move forward with winter flights then it has to expand.
There are times when the police have to stop traffic in order for certain aircraft to turn at the Corfu town end of the runway, maybe that could be diverted along the other existing road and the runway lengthened.
Dave.
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