Several plane spotters were blown back from the power generated by a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) plane at Skiathos airport, Greece last week.
A British tourist uploaded a video of what he described as the absolute chaos that resulted from the plane taxing on the runway to take off. A small preview of the absolute chaos when people underestimate the power of aircraft engines,” Callum Hodgson wrote on Twitter.
Just downloaded my Skiathos videos from last week, here’s a small preview of the absolute chaos when people underestimate the power of aircraft engines! pic.twitter.com/ll2g9nY8AA
— Callum Hodgson (@avgeekcal) June 21, 2023
In this case, there were no reports of serious injuries. However, in July 2022 a tourist sustained serious injuries after being hit by the jet wash of a plane taking off.
The 61-year-old woman was standing on a ledge trying to take photos of the plane taking off when a strong gust from the plane’s engines hit her and threw her off her perch.
The incident was captured on video by a local news site.
A month earlier, in June 2022, a 79-year-old man suffered minor injuries when he was hit by the jet blast of a plane on the airport runway.
The force of the turbines threw him to the ground resulting in scrapes and bruises. He was transported to the island’s local health center for treatment.
Skiathos airport in Greece is a favorite spot for plane spotters
Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis International Airport is known for its low landings. Its one short and narrow runway close to homes and hemmed in by the sea, a lagoon and a hill, is a difficult one for pilots to navigate, but its location makes for spectacular takeoffs and landings.
It an extremely popular destination for plane spotters. Many locals and tourists get close to the fence every day trying to snap pictures as planes fly close over their heads, local media report.
Despite prominent signage and warnings from the authorities for people to steer clear of the area around the airport runway, many tourists approach to take a picture or shoot a video of incoming aircraft.
The island airport is frequently compared to Princess Juliana International Airport on the island of Saint Maarten in the Caribbean Sea for its runways which are just feet away from the sea and are particularly challenging to pilots.
The airport at Skiathos is becoming really busy during the summer months when thousands of tourists descend on the Greek island.
Skiathos, the most cosmopolitan island in the Northern Sporades, is truly a paradise on earth, with lush pine forests and crystal-clear azure waters.
The island is picturesque, unspoiled and blessed with more than 60 beautiful beaches. The most famous is Koukounaries, which is considered as among the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean.
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