Santorini Thira International Airport (JTR/LGSR) is a small airport on the famous Greek island of Santorini just on the isle’s other side of the famous blue-white houses. Although the airfield is only roughly 5km away from this famous destination, the traffic is not as busy as one would think if you hear Santorini. The normal traffic consists out of European holiday charter airlines (primarly from Germany, Sweden and the UK) packed with a some domestic services flown by Aegen, Sky Express or Olympic for example. In addition, there are also rare general aviation and military movements here. Latter are not that untypical though as the airport, which was opened in 1972, is offically used by both – civil and military services.

The airport serves roughly 2,3 million passenger a year and actually had two parallel runways once, but 16R/34L is closed nowadays and used as taxiway. A stunning terrace without any glass located after the security check was unluckily also closed with the latest refurbishment works.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Dima Gabriel, Wolfgang Kaiser, Martin Oswald and Mattia De Bon. Last change: May 2023 (Spot 3 updated)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
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Airport Information
Runways
16L/34R	2125m
16R/34L	Closed and used as a taxiway
Terminals	One handling all airlines and destinations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed and not recommended.
Car/Public Transport	Definitely needed as public transport is poor, distances quite big and the climate is (surprise) hot!
Drinks/Food	There are plenty hotels with bars and also some beachbars/-restaurants nearby.
Hotels	The airport is surrounded by hotels especially along the beach in the east. But the one with the best view is actually located in the northwest: Marvait Suites
Season	Summer is better due to more traffic and better weather, therefore heat haze is a big issue then.
Security	Keep a low profile and don’t attract attention. Especially Santorini also sees military visitors sometimes. There are many signs along the fence stating “photography is forbidden”. Military cars/guys check the fence from the airside from time to time so rather stand behind a bush somewhere so you cannot be seen from behind the fence! Be very careful, only show your camera once you need it here!
Runway Usage
General Info	As runway 16L/34R remained the only opened strip, this one is used for all movements and 34 direction is more common normally.

Due to “security concerns” the greek government told google to pixelize the satellite images of all airports in greece with military presence. That is why you don´t see all positions as clear as usual. A good alternative is Microsofts Bing Maps where the airports in Greece are still visible…

	Spot #1 – Beach – 34R Arrivals
WHERE	To get there use “Gaia Wines” as the target on your GPS. The winery is directly at the beach from where you can spot from. Once there, park your car either by the roadside or on the nearby parking areas (for the beach or winery) and then position yourself along the beach from where you have a nice view and can also vary your position.
WHAT	From here you can only see aircraft arriving on runway 34R.
TIME	From sunrise till later morning/early noon.
MISC.	A restaurants and bar are nearby where you can simply get food or refresh.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm A320 side on = 130mm

Taken from various position along the beach that is why the angle varies:

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	Spot #2 – Church – 16R/34L – movements
WHERE	This spot is located accross the runways on the opposite site of the airport terminal next to/on the staircase to the “Ekklisia Agios Ioannis” (local name: “Άγιος Ιωάννης”). This can be reached quite easily from Monolithos Beach – just continue to the southwest from there on one of the various streets. Once you are at the church, park your car by the roadside and go up the stairs or nearby rocks.
WHAT	From here you can see all movements on runway 16L/34R.
TIME	From sunrise till later morning/early noon.
MISC.	Heat haze is an issue especially on ground shots. As mentioned above, a famous beach stuffed with hotels/restaurant is nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm E190 departure = 150mm

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	Spot #3 – Airport street – 34R movements
WHERE	This spot is roughly 200m north of the airport terminal by the streetside close to all the rental car companies. The road area is elevated and the airport and runway is below you. Next to some parking cars you should find a rubbish bin or similar objects nearby which can be used to at least overlook parts of the fence.
WHAT	From here you can see 34R Departures and if you can clear your view over the fence also 34R Arrivals.
TIME	From late noon till sunset – almost sunset, the sun somewhen disappears behind the high mountains.
MISC.	The spot is close to the terminal but security has no issues at this position with plane spotters. There is a little bar/restaurant nearby where you can refresh and find shadow, but the prices are spiced due to the nearby airport. Otherwise you can also just go to the terminal. The spot is often not really useable due to heavy heat haze, so only sky shots are possible for sure – except in the later hours as then groundshots work again as well.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm B738 on taxiway = 150mm / A320 departure = 200mm / Challenger 350 = 350mm

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	Spot #4 – Roadside – 34R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located west of the runway’s southern end at a fieldpath’s y-junction. As both ways are not titled with any official names anywhere, just drive to the position we marked on the map.
WHAT	From here you can only see aircraft arriving on runway 34R with the lovley see as a background.
TIME	From late noon till sunset – almost sunset, the sun somewhen disappears behind the high mountains.
MISC.	Spot offers a nice view, but due to the heat haze it is often only useable in the late evening – if at all. Be careful as the street may be bumpy and muddy at some points.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-600mm Overview with horses = 100mm / Any aircraft >400mm

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	Spot #5 – Fields South – 34R Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	Just north of the first hotels in the village of Kamari, there is an unnamed, not paved street leading up the climbing subsoil to the west. It crosses the arrival path quickly and after going up the hills for about 500m, turn off to the right into (yet again) another unnamed street. It will guide you up a little mound from where you can nicely see the approach and it also clears one’s view towards the line-up area. Now position yourself freely around here regarding your favourite anlge. But make sure to stand behind some trees so that the military cars patrolling on the airside cannot see you (as photography is forbidden here according to signs along the fence!).
WHAT	From here you can only see aircraft arriving on runway 34R plus at some points from this area also aircraft taxiing to the treshold for Line-Up.
TIME	From late noon till sunset – almost sunset, the sun somewhen disappears behind the high mountains. Line-Ups may also work a bit earlier than later noon as they turn into the light.
MISC.	Spot offers a nice view, but due to the heat haze the Line-Ups are often only useable in the late hours – if at all. Be careful as the street may be bumpy and muddy at some points. Also, there are many signs along the fence stating “photography is forbidden”. Military cars/personel checks the fence from the airside from time to time so rather stand behind a bush somewhere so you cannot be seen from behind the fence! Be very careful, only show your camera once you need it here!
FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm A319 = 100mm / Learjet = 190mm

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	Spot #6 – Dirt Road – 16L arrivals
WHERE	North of the terminal is a dirt road that runs below the approach path of runway 16L. It can be reached easily from the terminal by driving or walking northwards along the perimeter fence. Stay and park car at the junction on the afternoon side.
WHAT	Arrivals on 16L only.
TIME	From late noon till sunset.
MISC.	Nothing nearby, be prepared.
FOCAL LENGTH	A319 = 120mm

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