Brits warned over little-known rule on Greek island that could delay flights for hours
British tourists holidaying in a popular Greek island this summer are being urged to double-check their flight times after one visitor was left stranded due to a strict airport curfew.
In the face of mounting pressure to manage excessive visitor numbers, Greece and its surrounding islands welcomed a record-breaking 40.7 million international visitors in 2024 - a 12.8 per cent jump from the previous year.
The surge in tourist numbers generated around €21.7 billion (£18.5 billion) in revenue for the country, with picture-postcard islands such as Corfu, Rhodes and Mykonos continuing to top summer getaway lists.
Zante, known for its turquoise waters, bustling nightlife and family-friendly beaches, remains one of the most popular Greek islands.
However, many visitors are unaware that night-time flights are heavily restricted to protect the island's loggerhead sea turtles.
In a statement issued to the Mirror, Travel Republic said: 'This reflects a growing commitment across the travel industry to support responsible tourism and environmental conservation.'
The curfew, which has been in place since the early 1990s, aims to minimise disruptions to their nesting patterns at night on Zante's southern beaches, especially during the busy summer months.
In a video, which appears to have since been deleted, one TikTok user, @NKDZante, was caught off-guard by the curfew after her 10pm flight was delayed past the cut-off time.
One TikTok user, @NKDZante, was caught off-guard by the curfew after her 10pm flight was delayed past the cut-off time
She slammed the experience as a 'journey from hell', explaining that her group was forced to return to arrivals, reclaim their luggage and wait hours for emergency accommodation and transfers, as reported by the Mirror.
She told followers that she was handed a €15 snack voucher for consolation, before warning holidaymakers they may encounter unexpected delays if they book 'really late flights' from the airport.
The content creator added: 'I didn't know this obviously, but apparently, it has happened to six or seven flights in Zante Airport this summer.'
Travel experts now urge holidaymakers to choose earlier departures when flying to or from Zakynthos, especially during peak nesting season, which runs through May to October.
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