Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)

[airforced]

I'm flying into SKG on Friday and out again the following week. Problem is there is very little info available about it on the web and the airport website is worse than useless. Very little info available as far as I can see.

Is there anyone out there who can fill me in on what to expect? For example are the security and ground handling efficient on arrival as I won't have a great deal of time to get through the airport and catch a taxi to the bus station for my onward travel (assuming my flight from MAN arrives on time)? What landside facilities are there and similarly how are things airside when I return? Anything to watch out for? I'm thinking here of how time consuming check-in and passage through security is mainly? And finally how busy a place is it and is there plenty of seating (some Greek airports I've passed through over the years are absolutely horrendous when it comes to efficiency and facilities and I'd rather be forewarned if possible).

Any info would be most welcome.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Thessaloniki Airport

Hi airforced, how was the airport at Thessaloniki in the end? I've never used the airport so could help with your request in this instance.

 

[airforced]

Re: Thessaloniki Airport

Hi Aviador

Back safe and sound I'm pleased to say. Just a few notes which might assist future travellers to SKG. I think as far as ground handling is concerned speed of baggage reclaim will depend very much on the number of flights arriving at the same time as you. We were fortunate inasmuch as only 2 Easy flights, including ours, hit the tarmac around the same time but even so getting the bags to the reclaim wasn't particularly speedy. I did notice coming back that they were probably quite busy with outgoing traffic so there was probably a good reason for the time taken. Passport Control was speedy and friendly (unlike LBA) and no walking for miles either. We were out negotiating with a taxi driver within about 30 minutes which is good even for a smallish airport, but as I said, we arrived at a quiet time.

No facilities except toilets airside, and nothing really once you got through unless you went to the departures area.

Returning the following week it was the usual Greek practice of checking in and weighing the bags and then lugging them over to the screening area. Must say that Easy were efficient and check-in was a non-event unlike the Ryan queue which didn't seem to move much. Passport Control and Security (we got fast tracked because of my walking difficulties) was a piece of cake and we were soon through into a somewhat confusing departures which was however relatively compact. I say confusing because the departures lounge/gates is in a long narrow area spanning the full length of the building with a few gates to you right as you enter it seemingly putting you in a dead end with your gate nowhere in sight. Fear not however as you need to turn left and pass behind the security screening area which opens out somewhat to a relatively large area with sufficient seating and a cafe (didn't use) and a well stocked 'Duty Free' shop which carried, as far as I could see, a decent range of all the usual suspects. Great views wherever you are of the runway and taxi areas.

The Gate procedures we a bit disorganised and Easy called people and then had them queuing on the apron steps for ages in the full noonday sun. Not pleasant for them I'm sure but as we had speedy boarding we were led past them straight into the bus but them waited an age to be driven to the aircraft. Probably weren't ready for us even though the flight arrived 15 minutes early.

To summarise. SKG is a compact airport handling just under 5m passengers with few facilities which when it is having a quiet spell is easy to pass through. I imagine however that at busy times it would be less comfortable. Straightforward layout makes it easy to navigate. No complaints.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Thessaloniki Airport

Very helpful review airforced, thank you.