Rhodes Airport (RHO)
Rhodes Airport
The National Airport of Rhodes «Diagoras» is located in Rhodes, 16 kilometers southwest of Rhodes, in the village Paradisi.
It is the fourth largest airport in Greece, as far as the volume of passengers is concerned, with traffic reaching 415.166 passengers in 2007 for internal flights and 1.395.021 passengers for external flights. It started working on the 28th June 1977, replacing the outdated for civil use airport which was located a few kilometers further to the east, in the region of Maritses, and now it serves as a military airport with code ICAO: LGRD. The aircraft parking floor covers a total area of 110,600 m2, with a capacity of 13 aircraft, while the airport building covers an area of 20,753 m2, with a capacity of 1,700 passengers, while some expansion and improvement works are still in progress. Since 2000, air traffic control has been supported by an approach radar, while there is an automated flight plan management system. The airport is open every day and time of the year, while some extra services, such as car rental, car parking and duty free shop are also provided.
Wind shear
Wind Shear is a common phenomenon in the airport area, which can pose a serious risk to flights. For this reason some flights are often cancelled, to and from the Rhodes airport, when winds are above 5 Beaufort. Indicatively, Olympic Airlines advises its pilots not to land or take off when there are south or southeast winds (from 110 ° to 180 °), with speeds over 15 knots, while similar recommendations exist in the Aeronautical Information Manual of Greece (AIP Greece)
Rhodes Airport Accidents
On the 21st of March 2007, at 10:15 a.m., an Olympic Airlines aircraft, type ATR 42-320 with registration data, SX-BIC, coming from Thessaloniki, left the runway during the landing and moved parallel to it for 150 meters, and as a result the tire and the rim of the left outer wheel broke.
The plane returned to the runway and was taxied to the parking lot, without any of the 29 passengers or the three crew members being injured. The experts concluded that the slightly elevated cable ducts caused the damage to the aircraft and they were not subject to the international regulations on airport specifications and they recommended compliance with these specifications. The pilot was also to blame, as he did not follow the Olympic Airlines operation manual which dictated that the landing be canceled due to strong winds in the airport area.
Rhodes also has 3 more airports that are not operating
Rhodes Maritsa Airport: closed to public, near Maritsa village. Built in 1938 by the Italians was the first airport of the island and used to be the public airport until 1977. Nowadays serves the Hellenic Air Force and is sometimes used for car races.
Kalathos Airfield: inoperative, 7 km (4 mi) north of Lindos. Built by the Italians during World War II, was called Aeroporto di Gadurrà. Today only the runway is visible.
Kattavia Airstrip, located in the south of the island it was an emergency airstrip built by the Italians during World War II. Today it is abandoned.
Waiting Taxis
Taxis offer a way to and from Rhodes International Airport RHO. Arriving passengers can pick up a taxi at the Taxi Station, which can be reached at the Arrival level of the Terminal.
The cabs are dark blue with white – colored roofs. They also have sigh on the top of the car with the word “TAXI”. They operate with a first come first served system.
Rhodes airport is a very busy airport so we suggest to pre book your rhodes airport taxi before your arrival to avoid long lines.
The public bus is another transportation from / to the airport, if you do not want to take a taxi. The ride to / from the airport is around 35 minutes (sometimes more) depending mainly on traffic. The bus fare from Rhodes airport to city center is 2 Euros and 50 Cents (€2.50). If you pay onboard the bus (purchase it from the driver) the cost is €2.60.The route includes several stops until the destination.
Departing from Rhodes Airport to City Center
The airport bus stop is situated outside the terminal building, approximately 300m (984 ft) way, in front of a small outdoor coffee shop. The Departures to Rhodes City are quite frequent including weekends and public holidays. You can buy your ticket directly from the driver who accepts only cash (Euro currency). There is no direct bus from Rhodes airport to the Old Town, but the last stop is just 5 minute walk from the castle (Old Town).
Bus Schedule from Rhodes Airport to City Center (Winter 2021)
Monday to Friday Bus Timetable
06:40 (first morning bus) – 06:50 – 07:20 – 08:05 – 08:20 – 09:15 – 09:45 – 10:30 – 10:45 – 11:15 – 12:30 – 12:45 – 13:15 – 13:45 – 14:25 – 14:50 – 15:15 – 15:45 – 16:10 – 16:40 – 17:15 – 17:45 – 17:55 – 18:15 – 18:40 – 19:35 – 19:50 – 21:05 – 21:20 – 21:45 – 22:40 – 23:00 – 23:15 (last night bus)
Saturday Bus Timetable
06:50 (first morning bus) – 07:55 – 08:25 – 09:15 – 09:45 – 10:25 – 10:45 – 11:15 -12:15 – 12:45 – 13:15 – 13:50 – 14:25 – 14:50 – 15:15 – 15:45 – 16:10 – 17:15 – 17:55 – 18:15 – 18:40 – 19:35 – 19:50 – 21:20 – 21:15 – 21:45 – 22:40 – 23:05 – 23:15 (last night bus)
Sunday Bus Timetable
06:40 – 07:50 – 09:15 – 10:00 – 10:30 – 11:15 – 12:45 – 13:45 – 14:30 – 15:15 – 15:50 – 16:45 – 17:20 – 18:45 – 19:30 – 20:05 – 21:00 – 21:40 – 22:40 – 23:10 (last night bus)