As thousands prepare to jet off to sunnier climes, there’s a ‘little-known’ rule on one Greek island that could catch some travellers out
With the peak travel season just around the corner, thousands will be getting ready to fly away to sunnier climes. For numerous holidaymakers, Greece stands out as the preferred getaway. This European country has consistently been a popular retreat, attracting hundreds of thousands of Brits to islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos every summer.
However, there exists a ‘little-known’ curfew regulation on one of these Greek islands that flyers may not know about. If they are caught off guard, they might end up stuck for an extended period. Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) imposes a nighttime flight curfew to safeguard the endangered loggerhead sea turtles that reside on the island.
Flights are prohibited from approximately 10pm until 5am, and in some cases, even until 7am. This is to protect these turtles, which are most active at night, especially during their nesting and hatching periods.
Consequently, this curfew can occasionally lead to flight delays or cancellations. If this occurs in the evening, passengers could be left stranded until the following morning, reports Glasgow Live.
On social media, several passengers have shared their experiences of not knowing about the curfew. On TikTok, one woman called Nkdzante uploaded a video to say how her flight was cancelled just five minutes before 10pm as the airport began shutting down in adherence to the curfew. The video sparked comments from anxious flyers. One wrote: “Me watching this with a flight home from Zante tonight at 10pm”. Another said: “Don’t say this my flight back is at 10pm”.
Zakynthos Airport, often used for trips to Santorini and Kefalonia, implemented its night flight restrictions in the early 1990s. These turtles, native to the Mediterranean, lay their eggs on the nearby shores. The beaches of Zakynthos are among the most important nesting sites in the region, with about 80% of the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle population choosing to nest here.
It’s crucial to protect their nesting habitats, as these turtles are considered endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction and human interference. Loggerhead sea turtles are particularly active at night. They are vulnerable to disturbances caused by the noise and lights from aircraft, especially during their nesting season.
The noise and light from planes can disrupt the turtles’ nesting behaviours, posing risks to both them and their eggs. To minimise this disruption, Zakynthos Airport has implemented a night curfew, banning flights during the times when the turtles are most active.
Rules also apply across the beaches of Zakynthos, particularly those located in the National Marine Park, to protect the local ecosystem and the endangered loggerhead sea turtles. These regulations include restrictions on access, activities, and the use of certain equipment.
The beaches within the National Marine Park are typically open to visitors during daylight hours, from 7am until sunset. To avoid any disturbance, it is essential to keep a distance of at least 15 meters from nesting turtles.
While swimming is permitted, activities such as strolling, using parasols, and laying towels beyond a narrow strip of beach near the water (approximately five metres from the sea) are not allowed. Boats can sail in specified zones, but their speed mustn’t surpass six nautical miles.
On nesting beaches, the use of parasols, anchoring, and fishing is strictly forbidden. To protect the turtles and the environment, it’s vital to keep the beaches clean by properly disposing of all rubbish and cigarette ends.
The presence of cars, motorbikes, bicycles, horses, and dogs is prohibited on nesting beaches due to the threat they pose to the turtles. Visitors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these regulations and respect the protected areas to help preserve the island’s breathtaking natural beauty.