Sky Express Routes - Summer 2017

After lots of work, here is Sky Express summer schedule for Rhodes. Heraklion will have up to 9 weekly flights, Sky is the sole carrier afterall, while Karpathos/Kasos pso will get up to 6 weekly for the high season but in total much less due to ministry's budget cuts. Please also note that flights for the other pso going northwards up to Lemnos will be served only twice weekly -budget cuts as well- and flights from June and on, when frequencies are expected to increase, are not yet bookable. We will update when Sky makes the available.

HERAKLION (HER) - RHODES (valid 26/3 - 31/10)*

Outward Flight: HER-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ104	15:00	16:00	AT42	Mo	27/3-29/5
GQ102	10:00	11:00	JS41	Mo	3/4-29/5
GQ100	07:00	08:00	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10
GQ104	16:30	17:30	AT42	Mo	19/6-11/9
GQ100	07:00	08:00	AT42	Tu-Th-Sa
GQ100	10:30	11:30	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ102	13:30	14:30	JS41	We	5/4-31/5
GQ100	07:00	08:00	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ100	19:00	20:00	AT42	We	4/10-31/10
GQ104/100	16:00	17:00	AT42	Fr	26/3-29/9
GQ104	13:00	14:00	AT42	Fr	16/6-15/9
GQ104	19:00	20:00	AT42	Fr	6/10-31/10
GQ104	16:00	17:00	AT42	Su	26/3-28/5
GQ104	19:00	20:00	AT42	Su	4/6-31/10
Return Flight: RHO-HER
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ105	16:30	17:30	AT42	Mo	27/3-29/5
GQ101	12:00	13:00	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10
GQ105	18:00	19:00	AT42	Mo	19/6-11/9
GQ101	12:00	13:00	AT42	Tu-Sa
GQ103	16:00	17:00	JS41	Tu	4/4-30/5
GQ101	15:30	16:30	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ101	12:00	13:00	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ105	20:30	21:30	AT42	We	4/10-31/10
GQ101	13:40	14:10	AT42	Th	30/3-25/5
GQ103	11:30	12:30	JS41	Th	6/4-25/5
GQ101	13:30	14:30	AT42	Th	1/6-31/10
GQ105	17:30	18:30	AT42	Fr	26/3-26/5
GQ101	21:00	22:00	AT42	Fr	2/6-29/9
GQ105	20:30	21:30	AT42	Fr	6/10-31/10
GQ105	14:30	15:30	AT42	Fr	16/6-15/9
GQ105	17:30	18:30	AT42	Su	26/3-28/5
GQ105	20:30	21:30	AT42	Su	4/6-31/10

RHODES - CHIOS (JKH) (valid 3/4 - 31/5)*

Outward Flight: RHO-JKH
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ036*	11:30	13:20	JS41	Mo
GQ036*	15:00	16:50	JS41	We
Return Flight: JKH-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ037*	13:45	15:30	JS41	Tu
GQ037*	09:15	11:00	JS41	Th

* Via Samos

RHODES - KARPATHOS (AOK) (valid 26/3 - 31/10)*

Outward Flight: RHO-AOK
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ042	08:30	09:10	AT42	Tu-Th-Sa
GQ042	12:00	12:40	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ042	08:30	09:10	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ042	17:30	18:10	AT42	Fr	2/6-29/9
GQ042	08:30	09:10	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10
Return Flight: AOK-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ043	10:50	11:30	AT42	Tu-Th-Sa
GQ043	14:20	15:00	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ043	10:50	11:30	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ043	19:50	20:30	AT42	Fr	2/6-29/9
GQ043	10:50	11:30	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10

RHODES - KASOS (KSJ) (valid 26/3 - 31/10)*

Outward Flight: RHO-KSJ
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ042*	08:30	09:50	AT42	Tu-Th-Sa
GQ042*	12:00	13:20	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ042*	08:30	09:50	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ042*	17:30	18:50	AT42	Fr	2/6-29/9
GQ042*	08:30	09:50	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10
Return Flight: KSJ-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ043*	10:10	11:30	AT42	Tu-Th-Sa
GQ043*	13:40	15:00	AT42	We	29/3-31/5
GQ043*	10:10	11:30	AT42	We	7/6-27/9
GQ043*	19:10	20:30	AT42	Fr	2/6-29/9
GQ043*	10:10	11:30	AT42	Mo	5/6-31/10

*Via Karpathos

RHODES - LEMNOS (LXS) (valid 3/4 - 31/5)*

Outward Flight: RHO-LXS
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ036*	11:30	15:30	JS41	Mo
GQ036*	15:00	19:00	JS41	We
Return Flight: LXS-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ037*	11:35	15:30	JS41	Tu
GQ037*	07:05	11:00	JS41	Th

* Via Samos, Chios, Lesvos / Lesvos, Chios, Samos

RHODES - LESVOS (MJT) (valid 3/4 – 31/5)*

Outward Flight: RHO-MJT
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ036*	11:30	14:20	JS41	Mo
GQ036*	15:00	17:50	JS41	We
Return Flight: MJT-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ037*	12:45	15:30	JS41	Tu
GQ037*	08:15	11:00	JS41	Th

* Via Samos, Chios / Chios, Samos

RHODES - SAMOS (SMI) (valid 3/4 - 31/5)*

Outward Flight: RHO-SMI
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ036	11:30	12:15	JS41	Mo
GQ036	15:00	15:45	JS41	We
Return Flight: SMI-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
GQ037	14:45	15:30	JS41	Tu
GQ037	10:15	11:00	JS41	Th

For more information and/or reservations, please visit Sky Express website.

* Based on Sky Express official website on 24 March 2017.

Fraport ready to take over?

As the new season is almost here, questions keep coming regarding the status of Rhodes airport management concession to Fraport.

Lately we are reading that Fraport is arranging all final and necessary tasks such as signing contracts with the greek police as well the fire and health departments in order to secure public services needed. Though an exact date has not been announced, its widely circulated that Fraport will take over officially in early April, just before greek easter.

So far, the Germans didn't communicate any of their plans for Rhodes airport besides some general comments concerning all airports (such as airports' cleanliness, maintenance etc.). Today, at last, they announced some of their plans for all airports; Rhodes Diagoras airport will get some much needed upgrades but there are still questions.

Actions defined as immediate from Fraport include:
- General clean-up
- Improving lighting, marking of airside areas
- Upgrading sanitary facilities
- Enhancing services and offering new free Internet connection (WiFi)
- Implementing works to improve fire safety in all the areas of the airports

Then, we have enhancement changes that will be implemented under Fraport Greece’s investment plan until 2021
• Remodeling the current terminal
• Reorganizing the airport apron area
• New fire station
• 13 percent increase in the number of check-in counters (from 40 to 45)
• 13 percent increase in the number of departure gates (from 16 to 18)
• 71 percent in the number of security-check lanes (from 7 to 12)
• 25 percent increase in the number of baggage reclaim belts (from 4 to 5)

Fraport exterior rendering after the completion of the works (front)

Fraport exterior rendering after the completion of the works (apron)

Needless to say all of the above listed are much needed and should be intoduced asap but we still have some questions that hopefully in time will get answered.
- Firstly, its unclear what will happen in the public outdoor space just in front of the terminals. Current condition is disappointing with a total mess present for most of the summer months. We hope Fraport can come up with a more functioning plan that will improve conditions for visitors and workers.
- Then, we are still unaware of the fate of apron expansion which will allow for more aircraft parking space. The government purchased years ago all available land adjacent to the northeast side but failed to demolish existing buildings and incoroporate land to airport premises. It remains unknown if and when this expansion will take place as well who's paying for it.
- Moreover, its still unknown what their business plan for increasing traffic is. Will they be directly involved offering incentives to airlines and tour operators especially for lenghtening the season? Or they will pass this task to government and local authorities? Or maybe a combination of both?
- Finally, we need some clarifications on their funds allocation. Will Rhodes airport be their top priority or it will end up as a milkcow funding other airports improvements?

Anyway, we really hope this new era for Rhodes airport will be positive and that in time it will be able to provide high standards services. We don't expect Fraport to fix everything overnight but we hope they will take it seriously and help Rhodes improve. The private sector needs to lead the way so as to force both local and central authorities to follow...