Zakynthos
International Airport
A 7,310 foot runway at sea level in the southern Ionian, taking the whole of business aviation with none of the Cyclades ground time limits. Slot coordinated in summer, with a turtle nesting season that shapes night operations.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Zakynthos at a glance
Zakynthos, named for the poet Dionysios Solomos, carries the ICAO code LGZA and the identifier ZTH. A single 7,310 foot runway at 15 feet elevation with ICAO Category 7 fire cover, on the island’s south coast beside Laganas Bay.
It is IATA Level 3 slot coordinated in summer with mandatory handling, and it takes large cabin aircraft without difficulty.
The Advantage
Long runway, real parking
16/34 is 2,228 metres, about 7,310 feet, by 148 feet, the longest runway among the Ionian island airports we cover. The whole of business aviation operates here up to large cabin types, and the aircraft is rarely the constraint.
Parking is available, to be confirmed in high summer, and there is no 40 minute rule of the kind that governs Mykonos and Santorini. For an Ionian trip that makes Zakynthos a materially simpler operation than the Cyclades.
The Constraints
Summer slots and the turtles
Zakynthos is coordinated at IATA Level 3, most tightly in July and August when direct European charter flights fill the schedule. Handling is mandatory. Fire cover is Category 7.
The airport sits beside Laganas Bay, a National Marine Park protecting loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, and night operations have been restricted during the nesting season for that reason. A late summer arrival is checked against the current restrictions rather than assumed.
History
Named for the national poet
The airport opened in 1972 and is named for Dionysios Solomos, the Zakynthos-born poet who wrote the words of the Greek national anthem.
It grew with the island’s charter tourism, and the runway was extended to its present length to take the aircraft the summer schedule brings. Fraport Greece has operated it since 2017.
Nearby
Zakynthos and the Greek fields
Greece is an Athens operation with islands attached. Zakynthos is the workable Ionian field.
LGAVAthens InternationalLGMKMykonosLGSRSantoriniLGSKSkiathosLGKLKalamata
LGPAParos NationalLGSOSyrosLGSYSkyrosLGMGMegaraLGELElefsis Air BaseLGTTTatoi
Kalamata is across the water on the Peloponnese, close in flying time and the gateway to Costa Navarino. Athens for parking and connections. Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and Syros are the Cyclades on the far side of the country. Skiathos and Skyros are the Sporades to the north east.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Zakynthos, answered
Can private jets land at Zakynthos?
Yes, comfortably. Zakynthos has a 7,310 foot runway at 15 feet elevation with ICAO Category 7 fire cover, which takes the whole of business aviation up to large cabin types. It is slot coordinated in summer and handling is mandatory, but it carries none of the ground time limits that govern Mykonos and Santorini.
How long is the runway at Zakynthos?
16/34 is 2,228 metres, about 7,310 feet, by 148 feet, in asphalt. Field elevation is 15 feet. It is the longest runway among the Ionian island airports we cover and the aircraft is rarely the constraint.
Does Zakynthos need a slot?
Yes, Zakynthos is coordinated at IATA Level 3 through the Hellenic slot coordinator, with pressure concentrated in July and August when direct European charter flights fill the schedule. Handling is mandatory.
Can you park at Zakynthos?
Yes, and this is a real advantage over the Cyclades headline islands. Parking is available, though it should be confirmed in high summer when the charter schedule is at its peak. There is no 40 minute rule.
What does Zakynthos serve?
The island of Zakynthos itself, known for Navagio beach and the loggerhead turtle nesting grounds of Laganas Bay, and by ferry the western Peloponnese. For the Ionian generally, Corfu and Kefalonia have their own airports.
Is ground handling mandatory at Zakynthos?
Yes, through the handler on the field, arranged alongside the slot.
Are there noise or wildlife restrictions at Zakynthos?
The airport sits beside Laganas Bay, a National Marine Park protecting loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, and night operations have been restricted during the nesting season for that reason. A late arrival in summer should be checked against the current restrictions rather than assumed.
Do you need a permit to fly a private jet into Greece?
No separate landing permit for EU and most third-country private and charter operations, but the slot at Zakynthos must be allocated and handling in place. We file them together.
Zakynthos or Kalamata?
Zakynthos for the island. Kalamata for the Peloponnese mainland and Costa Navarino, which is across the water to the south east. They are close in flying time and far apart by any other measure.
What is the history of Zakynthos airport?
The airport opened in 1972 and is named for Dionysios Solomos, the Zakynthos-born poet who wrote the Greek national anthem. It grew with the island's charter tourism and has been operated by Fraport Greece since 2017, with the runway extended to its present length to take the aircraft the summer schedule brings.
What time zone is Greece in?
Eastern European Time, EET in winter and EEST in summer, which is UTC+2 and UTC+3 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a Zakynthos charter
Send the dates and the aircraft. We file the slot and handling, confirm parking for a summer stay, and check any late arrival against the turtle nesting season restrictions before committing the timing.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.