Are small planes to Greek islands safe?

Yes. Sky Express ATR-72s and Olympic Air Dash 8s operating Greek domestic routes are modern, well-maintained aircraft flown by experienced crews under EASA and Greek Civil Aviation Authority oversight. Small turboprop aircraft are specifically designed for short-runway regional operations — they are not less safe than jets; they are different aircraft for a different operating environment. Turboprops handle low-altitude turbulence more gracefully than jets because they fly at lower altitudes and slower speeds.

Why are small Greek island flights so turbulent?

The main causes: thermal activity over rocky, sun-heated terrain at low altitude; the Aegean's famed Meltemi wind creating mechanical turbulence over cliff-edged islands; and the simple fact that ATR-72s and Dash 8s operate at 10,000–18,000ft rather than a jet's 35,000ft — in this lower troposphere, thermal and orographic turbulence is much more common. The turbulence is almost always uncomfortable rather than dangerous.

Which Greek islands have airports with short or difficult runways?

Several island airports have genuinely short runways that require precision approaches: Astypalaia (AST) — 1,320m runway with cliffs at both ends; Kastelorizo (KZS) — tiny 900m runway, one of the shortest in commercial use in Europe; Ikaria (JIK) — 1,222m runway with a significant upslope; Skyros (SKU) — narrow strip on a plateau. All are served by turboprops specifically because jets cannot operate safely on runways of this length.

What planes do Sky Express and Olympic Air use for island routes?

Sky Express primarily uses ATR-72-600 aircraft (72 seats, twin turboprop, cruise speed 510km/h) and some ATR-42s for smallest routes. Olympic Air (owned by Aegean Airlines) uses ATR-72-600 and Bombardier Dash 8 Q400. On higher-traffic routes (Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu), both operators also use Airbus A320/A321 jets. The type of aircraft is always shown on your booking — if you see ATR or Q400/Dash 8, you're on a turboprop.

What should I do if I'm anxious about flying on a small plane?

Preparation helps more than distraction: understand that turbulence is air moving, not the aircraft failing; know that the ATR-72 is certified for much more severe conditions than you will encounter on a 45-minute Greek domestic flight; sit over the wing where motion is least pronounced; avoid caffeine before the flight; tell the cabin crew you're anxious — they are experienced at this and will brief you. Most Greek island flights are 30–50 minutes — even a very bumpy crossing doesn't last long.

Is it better to fly or take a ferry to Greek islands?

Depends on your destination and the crossing conditions. Ferry: more scenic, larger vessels are more stable than you might expect, saves cost on some routes, the overnight crossing experience is genuinely enjoyable for many travellers. Fly: faster (45 min vs 5–8 hrs), avoids Meltemi seasickness risk in July–August, sometimes similarly priced when booked early. For the Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos), the overnight ferry is frequently the better option in summer — you travel overnight and arrive fresh without paying for a night's accommodation.

Teleporio™ — Greek Island Travel Intelligence

Flying to Small Greek Islands — What to Expect

ATR-72s, Dash 8s, short runways, Meltemi turbulence, and baggage limits. Everything you need to know before flying to a small Greek island.

Reviewed by Georgios — Teleporio™ route intelligence guide — Updated 2026-06-23

Which Small Greek Islands Have Airports?

A number of smaller Greek islands have airports with scheduled or seasonal service: Mykonos, Paros, Milos, Karpathos, Astypalaia, Ikaria, Skyros, Lemnos, Chios, Samos, Lesbos (Mytilene), Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada (connected by bridge, no airport), Preveza, and others in the Ionian and Dodecanese groups. The airports range from the fully operational international terminal at Mykonos (JMK) to small airstrips that accept turboprop regional aircraft only.

Sky Express and the Regional Network

Sky Express is the primary regional airline for inter-island flying in Greece, operating a network of routes from Athens (ATH) to islands that Olympic Air and Aegean do not serve, as well as direct inter-island routes that avoid Athens entirely. Their fleet includes ATR 72 turboprops appropriate for smaller airstrips. Routes like Athens to Astypalaia, Athens to Karpathos, Athens to Ikaria, and Athens to Skyros are Sky Express territory. Booking directly on their website gives access to the full route network.

Flight vs Ferry: Which is Better?

Flight: 30 to 50 minutes in the air vs 4 to 12 hours by ferry. Cost: typically 60 to 150 euros per person for regional routes, versus 20 to 60 euros by ferry. The ferry advantage: no liquid restrictions, no airport security queue, no weight limit stress on luggage, the visual experience of arriving at an island by sea, and the ability to bring a motorbike. The flight advantage: time saved, Beaufort conditions are irrelevant, and small island airports are typically 15 minutes from town rather than the 45-minute port bus.

Practical Notes for Small Airport Arrivals

Small Greek island airports have minimal facilities — a single check-in desk, one security lane, sometimes a single departure gate, and a small cafe that may or may not be open. Arrive 60 minutes before departure, not 90 — there is nothing to do and nowhere to wait comfortably at many of these airfields. Ground transport from small airports is typically taxis and pre-arranged hotel transfers; public bus connections exist at larger airports but not at the smallest airstrips. Confirm transport from the airport before booking accommodation.

Checking in on Regional Flights

Online check-in is available on most Sky Express routes but should be completed the day before, as the mobile check-in infrastructure at small airports is sometimes unreliable. Print or download boarding passes as a backup. Luggage allowances on regional services are often lower than on mainline flights — check your specific fare class. Hand luggage size restrictions on turboprops may be enforced more strictly than on mainline aircraft due to small overhead storage.