Local airports are perhaps the greatest method of travel left for those desiring peace and a more efficient solution for their travel needs, rather than having to travel to a major international one with the parking and security stress that often comes with the territory.
Many people think of major airports and cringe at the thoughts of lines requiring hours to get through, thousands of people going in different directions at once, constant worries of baggage and claim issues, and confusing parking policies. Yet, there is one way to fly that completely removes all these worries at the same time - the local airport.
These smaller facilities are typically just as reliable as the major airports, but with many advantages. The fares are often more affordable and the queues are far shorter. Because these airlines serve fewer passengers, you will reach your destination faster and with less hassle.The ease of parking in regional airports is another convenience many passengers enjoy.
Regional airports offer services that will take you into large cities, but also offer options of bypassing more urban areas when the final destination is on the outskirts of a major metropolitan area. These airports use smaller planes, allowing greater access to additional facilities, regardless of where you travel.
Many locations are limited to regional airports, and if you choose a major airline, you will need to either board a second, smaller airplane to reach your destination or drive a considerable distance.
Regional airports today are as connected as major airlines through technology. Weather, security information and all other relevant details are available through regional airports, just as with major airlines.
For a fine example of the regional possibilities for travelers, take the beautiful island of Skiathos. This is one of the Sporades Islands and offers lush beauty for all visitors. The Skiathos Island National Airport is an airport in Skiathos, Greece. It is a wonderful example of how these smaller facilities can take you easily to extraordinary locations.
Skiathos Island National Airport (IATA: JSI, ICAO: LGSK) is an airport in Skiathos, Greece. Its 5,341-foot runway is able to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757-200. Thomson Airways is the only operator to fly the Boeing 757-200 to Skiathos.
Many Airlines companies operate chartered flights to Skiathos directly, as shown below:
- Austrian Airlines (Vienna) [begins May 30]
- Edelweiss Air (Zurich) [begins May 17]
- Jat Airways (Belgrade)
- Neos (Bologna)
- Novair(Stockholm)
- Olympic Airlines (Athens)
- Thomas Cook Airlines (East Midlands [begins 22 May; seasonal], London-Gatwick [seasonal],
- Edelweiss Air (Zurich) [begins May 17]
- Jat Airways (Belgrade)
- Neos (Bologna)
- Novair(Stockholm)
- Olympic Airlines (Athens)
- Thomas Cook Airlines (East Midlands [begins 22 May; seasonal], London-Gatwick [seasonal],
Manchester [seasonal], Newcastle [begins 8 May; seasonal])
- Thomson Airways (London-Gatwick [seasonal], Manchester [seasonal])
- transavia.com (Amsterdam)
- Thomson Airways (London-Gatwick [seasonal], Manchester [seasonal])
- transavia.com (Amsterdam)
From Skiathos, you can also visit the other Sporades Islands (a group of 24 islands in total but only four more inhabited, Skopelos, Alonisos, Peristera and Skyros)
Using a local airport does not mean you are missing out on any destination, it only means you are expanding the potential of your travels to reach far more exotic locations in the world.
Muriel Rammos
Owner of Villa Cassiopee
