The focus of this article will be on the airport in Corfu (Greece). You will find a lot of interesting information about the air gates of the island, as well as useful tips on how to get from the plane's ramp to the resting place and how best to pass the time before departure. Despite the fact that this hub accepts regular flights, in the tourist season (which is from April to October), its work is especially intense due to the large number of charters. In order not to get lost in the crowd, it is useful to have an idea of the structure of the airport.
How to get to Corfu island
Unfortunately, the Kapodistrias Kerkyra Airport, unfortunately, does not accept regular flights from Russia. Have to fly through Athens. Non-stop flights to Corfu Island can be reached only at the height of the tourist season on one of the charters departing from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan. But Corfu Airport is connected by frequent regular flights with the capital of Athens. Of the major cities of Western Europe, you can also fly to the island without transfers. There are several major airlines in Greece, so it’s most convenient to buy tickets through metasearch engines such as Aviasales. Sometimes the prices there are lower than at the box office of direct carriers.
History
The first airport on Corfu was built in 1937 for military aviation. During World War II, it was all the more used for non-peaceful purposes. There was a base of Italian and German air forces. And only in 1949 did the first passenger flight leave from Corfu airport for Athens. It was implemented by the Greek company TAE Greek National Airlines. For a long time, the hub could not fully accept civilian aircraft, since it had an insufficiently long runway. This obstacle was removed in 1959, and in 1962 the first passenger terminal was built. In 1965, he was awarded the title of Corfu International Airport. He got his name from John Kapodistrias, a native of the island and the first ruler of independent Greece. But since the airport is located near the city of Kerkyra, many locals call it that. And finally, in 1972, a second terminal was built.
General information
Corfu International Airport is the home office of Ellinair and Aegean Airlines. Passengers are served by two terminals. They do not have sleeves. Apron buses are being taken to the passengers. In general, the hub is not impressive in its size. Everything here is simple, at home. However, this airport manages to receive more than two million travelers annually. It is worth mentioning once again the runway. In order to take civilian sides, it had to be extended from 800 meters to more than two kilometers. For this purpose, an embankment was erected in Halikiopulu Bay. Just 500 meters away is the Mouse Island Pontikonisi with the Vlaherna Monastery. So the fact-finding tour of the sights of Kerkyra begins already upon landing.
Where is it located and how to get to the city
Corfu International Airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias" is located three kilometers south of the center of the capital of the island of Kerkyra. The distance is small, but a taxi will cost you a tidy sum - about thirty euros. Bus communication on the island is carried out by two companies - KTEL and municipal. The private car is green. They transport passengers not only to Kerkyra, but also to other settlements of the island, as well as (by ferry) to other cities of Greece - Thessaloniki, Larissa, Athens. Blue buses are municipal. They travel only along the streets of Kerkyra, entering the suburbs. Numbers 5 and 6 will take you to the bus station. The center follows route number 19. It must be remembered that bus stops are scattered around the terminal, and you need to wait for your route exactly where it is indicated. The fare in municipal transport is € 1.10. Most city routes have a terminus in Piazza San Rocco or Canoni. And from there, other blue buses leave for the towns of the island.
Corfu Airport: services
Both terminals are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable trip. Otherwise, the airport would not have been awarded the title of international. However, prices in shops, cafes and other services are higher than in Kerkyra. Even in duty free, Greek souvenirs, wine, ouzo anise vodka and olive oil are more expensive than in the city. Food prices in hub cafes differ from the national average by one and a half, or even twice. Greek slowness affects both registration and security screening. Therefore, you must arrive at the airport in advance for the flight. On the territory of the terminals there are ATMs, currency exchange offices, car rental offices and travel companies. However, their prices are also overpriced. Taxi rates vary depending on the time of day. For example, to the resort of Paleokastritsa, which is 25 kilometers from the airport, a day trip will cost 35 euros, and a night trip will cost 50.