The begining of the runway has the sea on both sides,but dont worry as the landing is as smooth as any other and you wont even notice.If your husband is a bit nervous of the landing he can close the window blind as the plane is about to land

You husband may not have the option of putting the blind down, the last few times when we have been landing passengers have been told that the blinds must be in the fully open position as some regulation or other says they must be up for landing, seems daft to me

Graham

Yes the blinds always have to remain open on descent. We've flown loads of times and he's getting better, it's just that he is better when he is prepared for something than it to come as a surprise

So if the landing isn't too bad, what about the airport, is it modern and efficient?

The views coming into Corfu airport are fantastic especially if you come in over the sea ( this will depend on wind direction at the time!) You will see Corfu's Mouse island and Vlacherna, it would be a shame if he shut his eyes and missed it! Corfu's main problem is it is quite a short runway which just means a short sharp braking. It ias not ropey.
The airport itself will be under pressure in August, generally speaking arrivals are efficient, but if you are unfortunate enough to land when several other planes have just landed, as there are only two conveyor belts, you may need to go straight into Greek "avrio" mode and relax! No amount of pushing and shoving is going to make bags come quicker, so its best just to chill and let it happen. Before you know where you are you will be on the way to your resort and the start of a great holiday.
Where abouts are you staying?

There is a link to Corfu Airport from the How to Get Here section on the top menu at http://www.allcorfu.com. It has pictures of the runway etc.

There is a useful site for nervous travellers at http://www.airfraid.comwhich has lots of helpful tips and info.

We're staying in Gouvia at the Corcyra Beach.

Thanks for the info, I'm just about to look at the links now.

Hubby is getting braver and will look out of the window if he thinks we are almost on the ground, so hopefully won't miss out on the sites which you mentioned!

Bl**dy hell!

I just looked at the picture of the runway, I don't know whether I'll be showing him that one or not!

I assume the planes descend towards inland?

I couple of years ago we went to Zakynthos and he'd been wound up about the runway there but it really wasn't that much to talk about experience wise. I'm not sure about this one though!

Mainly land towards land and take off towards the sea, but sometimes the other way round depending on the wind direction. They finally installed radar a few years ago which makes me feel more relaxed!

Cheers

Hi,

What time of day is your flight? If it as night then do not show him a picture. When the plane lands, mainly inland but sometimes the other way, the brakes go on similar to a theme park ride.
We went at night the first few times and did not know the water situation, then saw a postcard so then when we landed in daylight we were able to enjoy the view rather than worry about the landing. The skid marks on the runway do stop well before the end of eirther runway so no evidence of any danger. ENJOY...

The last time i went to corfu was back in 2000,and i actually worked as a holiday rep for jmc. And before then i had been on 15 different flights.What you have to remember is Corfu is an island and like any other island it is surrounded by water and the runway is very close to the sea.

There should be no worry on take off or landing,if you are sensible and you ahve taken notice of the instructions that were given by the cabin crew,if anything were to happen untoward than you should be fine.

Just dont worry about it as all Pilots are extremely well trained.

Enjoy your holiday.

One very sensible thing that my mother said to me when I was once scared in flight was.... just remember that the pilot is going to make sure he gets home to his wife and kids too!
Some times its good to bring things beack to a human level.
Everyone has a horror story to tell if you give them a chance, about hospitals, roads,airports etc. It is human nature to dramatise.
Corfu's airport has a good safety record. That is the bottom line.
If there is any doubt about weather conditions, the aircraft will either be delayed or diverted, neither scenario happens often. There is no reason for you, or him, to look upon this journey as any different to any other holiday island. It is a means to an end, the end being a wonderful holiday, where many fall victim to its charms and return year after year. The Corfiots say once you have drunk the water here, you are destined to return.A quick browse through this forum is evidence to that.

Thanks for all your replies everyone.

We have a day flight, so the darkness won't hide the runway!

I'm sure he'll be fine, he has got better over the years with every flight we've done, but he has a genuine fear which he is facing. I'm glad it doesn't stop him from travelling!

I am always trying to reasure him with little annecdotes like your mothers. I very often will say to him
"Do you really think all of these people would bring their beautiful little children on here if they thought it was dangerous?"

He likes to be reasured, as anyone does who has a fear. So thanks again, I now have some more reasurance material to use!

Just like to add a few words about the airport itself. I have never got out of Corfu airport within an hour and half of landing and that is over several years and in the relatively quiet months of May, June and October. There are 2 carousels and if there is generally a mad scrum when one of them starts up. I would say if your bag still hasn't arrived on a carousel after an hour, don't worry. It's normal.

As for the return leg, things are worse! You will queue outside of the airport before being allowed in the hall, this can be most uncomfortable in the mid-day sun. The hall is very small and the check in queues snake around so that you never know when they start or end! If you are with a tour operator then generally the rep will ask you to stay seated whilst she/he ascertains which check in desk is being used and whether or not you can enter the hall. Take the advice! They are very good at getting things sorted as far as the queues are concerned.

Once checked in, very many people then go back outside and sit down on the island of grass just outside the booking hall. If it is hit, shade can be obtained from a lovely willow tree. Alternatively there are a couple of pricey but not as expensive as the airport, cafes five minutes walk away.

If they are having one of their intermittent security pushes it is possible that the queue to get through passport control will be horrendous and slow moving. If it is, leave one of the party in the queue and check back every 15 minutes or so. Or, if you are bloody minded, don't queue at all and wait for the final call for your flight and then make your way to the start of the queue apologising profusely and explaining that your flight is about to leave.

On the whole Corfu airport is no better or worse than any other airport in Greece that is full of holidaymakers

Can't wait for that Magster, sounds about as good as Zante!

Had no problems at Corfu airport last year It was just very busy. Had luggage quickly on arrival but must say was delayed arriving so maybe it was just arriving at 3 in the morning that helped. Coming home we stayed out in the main part of the airport until just before boarding as departure lounge was a nightmare. But Corfu itself was wonderful just enjoy!

well corfu is no worse than zante, its not easy at any greek airport but last year was an experience we do not want to repeat we will be getting a taxi to the airport well in advance unless the pickup time has improved. The airport from our hotel is a little over and hour away we arrived at the airport at 1.30pm with our flight leaving on time at 1.50 slightly hair raising you can imagine

We came home from Corfu on Monday 16th the queue outside the airport was unbelievable! All cases have to be scanned before you are allowed in. With every coach arriving the queue gets longer and longer! We stood in the same spot for one and a half hours, the rep then called our flight so got moved to front - another half hour wait, got cases scanned then stood in another queue to check-in that also took ages! Oh yes the flight was delayed as well for forty mins! Never mind it was a lovely holiday we English just accept all the queing!!

thats unbelievable!! just wondering how long we will be waiting then,if youve been at the begining of the season .We are going in August!

oh yes my husband hates queing( and is the most impatient person EVER!!!) good job one of is ok!!!LOL