Summer parking restrictions at Greek airports are now in full swing. In previous years, it was mainly just the island airports that suffered, and airports on the mainland were used to reposition aircraft for longer stays. This year however, parking at LGAV/Athens is becoming a nightmare too.
We’ve had several reports from OPSGROUP members of requests for longer stays at Athens being denied, and also previously approved requests being revoked. If you are headed to Greece, don’t count on using Athens for anything for other than a quick tech stop.
Airport authorities at Athens have now issued a Notam for the whole summer season advising that all GA/BA flights require PPR for stays of longer than two hours:
A1641/18 - DUE TO OPERATIONAL REASONS THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN FORCE: 1.FOR AEROPLANES WITH MTOW MORE THAN 5700 KG, PRIOR PERMISSION IS REQUIRED (PPR). FOR: GENERAL AVIATION, BUSINESS AVIATION, AIR TAXI FLIGHTS AND ALL TECHNICAL STOP FLIGHTS, WITH INTENTION TO STAY ON THE GROUND FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS AND/OR STAY ON GROUND BETWEEN 1800 AND 0600 UTC. 2.LONG STAY OF AIRCRAFT IS NOT PERMITTED. 14 JUN 18:00 2018 UNTIL 20 AUG 06:00.
Local handlers have confirmed that PPR for tech stops of less than two hours almost always get granted. But for parking requests of more than two hours, prepare to be disappointed. In addition, until the end of the summer the airport will no longer accept any positioning flights without pax on board, regardless of how long you’re staying.
For operators wanting to do drop-and-go’s at Athens, always ask your agent which airports they recommend repositioning to for parking, but some options worth checking (as they do not currently have any restrictions in place for maximum parking length) are: LGKO/Kos, LGSM/Samos, LGIO/Ioannina, LGKV/Kavala, LGRX/Araxos.
More on the topic:
- More: Greek Summer Ops Lowdown
- More: Greece-ing the Turkey: The Aegean Dispute
- More: Price hike at Greek airports
- More: How to avoid delays into Greece – new procedures
- More: Greek Summer Ops – Prepare for Pain
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@Socrates Spass Archidas: they sure are. Question is how hospitable is ASOC ?
We´ll find out….
In the mean time I´ll check for the carrier version of our airplane to have it fit onto said balcony…
Greek people are known for their hospitality! Certenly someone will offer you to park at his balcony!
We want to go there for BUSINESS. Apparently Greece can afford to alienate employers of greek people. Requested PPR within hours of the NOTAM being issued for a flight in 3 weeks time, you don´t even get the requested acknowledgement of the request sent, let alone an answer if you we will get the PPR.
They are just business aviation unfriendly. That’s why just avoid Greece in general. If they don’t want wealthy tourists they’ll happily go elsewhere. I had to go through it last summer. Never again. Is a mess.