Greek island issues stern warning to tourists over ‘jet blast’ trend that can leave you with ‘serious injury’

It's home to one of the shortest runways in Europe but it can be very dangerous to try and get that viral video

If you’ve ever flown in or out of Skiathos, it’s likely you’ll have spotted you have a bit of an audience on the ground.

The outskirts of the Greek island’s airport has become a bit of a hotspot due to having one of the shortest runways in Europe.

But a stern warning has had to be issued to tourists due to the dangerous ‘jet blast’ trend.

Aviation enthusiasts and holidaymakers alike are often there to capture and witness planes as they’re just about to land, as the aircrafts look as though they’re just inches above peoples’ heads – the type of viral videos you'll probably see on social media during the holidays.

However, while they are allowed to stand around Skiathos International Airport, it is warned that they are doing so at their own risk as serious injury is possible.

Back in August, a 52-year-old Italian tourist ended up being airlifted to hospital after suffering head injuries due to a plane engine blast.

She was reportedly standing at a plane-spotting beach when she was knocked over and hit her head on the ground.

Another tourist reportedly suffered an arm fracture in a separate jet blast incident when nearby to the airport over the summer.

The jet blasts at Skiathos airport are particularly strong due to this super short runway, with commercial aircraft exhausts able these extremely strong, intense blast winds.

There are signs around the runway that warn of ‘danger from aircraft jet blast’ and the mayor of the island, Thodoris Tzoumas, has defended tourists’ rights to be there.

“We don’t consider it a danger, but rather a phenomenon,” he told The Telegraph.

“Few airports allow you to witness departures and landings so closely.”

But he did add that there protocols in place with it indicated where people can go, with it clear than they are doing this at their own risk. Signs and road markings highlight the ‘danger zone’.

“Anyone who [ignores the signs] bears responsibility for exposing themselves to danger,” the mayor of Skiathos said. “It’s like crossing a red light – it’s not the traffic light’s fault.”

Skiathos Landings shares aviation and travel information for the island but clearly displays a warning of danger on its home page.

“First of all we like to make clear the skiathoslandings.com is not a website suggesting people to stand behind engines jetblast during take-off,” it reads.

“Actually we advise the visitors at Skiathos to stay clear/away from jet blast and not stand behind airplanes during take-off. This is not the spectacular part of Skiathos airport scene.”

From interviewing Raye at the Brits to Aubrey Plaza in LA, Jess is across all things TV, film and pop culture. As well as bringing the latest news and hot takes, she's sitting down for chats with the likes of Stephen Graham, Dwayne Johnson, Little Simz, Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried and even Sydney Sweeney. When she's not doing that, she's listening to Beyoncé, watching The Traitors and keeping up with the latest online discourse. Jess has previously worked for MyLondon and North West End.

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