Terrifying footage shows holidaymakers taking selfies as passenger jets come in to land just above their heads on Greek holiday island
- Several people knocked off ledge by blast of air from a British Airways plane as it passed a few feet overhead
- Unsettling footage of low-flying aircraft was taken as the jet came in to land at Skiathos Airport in Greece
- The airport regularly sees low landings and tourists flock to the island airfield to watch them
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Terrifying footage has emerged showing holidaymakers taking selfies with passenger jets roaring in to land just a few feet above their heads on a Greek holiday island.
In one dramatic clip, people are knocked off a ledge by the jet blast of a British Airways aircraft seconds before it touches down at Skiathos Airport.
The landing strip, built just yards from the sea, has become a draw for thrill-seeking tourists looking to capture spectacular landings.
But the clip, which even shows a sign saying ‘danger please keep away from aircraft blast’, highlights the perils of standing beneath the giant aircraft.
The low-flying British Airlines flight last week at Skiathos Airport in Greece forced several people to duck
Several people who were watching the planes were pushed off the wall by the blast of air coming from the passing jet
Hundreds of people can congregate to watch the planes pass by, taking risky selfies as it passes just a few feet over their heads
Because of the small runway, flights leaving the island often have to take off with near-empty fuel tanks
Recorded last week, the video even shows people being knocked off a ledge by the power of the jet blast.
Keen plane spotters say the British Airlines flight last week was a particularly low-flying one.
Cargospotter, who uploaded the video, said: ‘Low landings and jetblasts can be observed on a daily basis and last week we filmed an incredible low British Airways Embraer E190 landing.
‘The people who were watching the planes were pushed from the wall by the wake turbulence of the Embraer.’
The airport regularly sees low landings and tourists flock to the spot to watch the planes come in.
The runway’s proximity to a beach at one end, with a public road on the other, makes it difficult for planes to land.
Because of the small runway, flights leaving the island often have to take off with near-empty fuel tanks to keep the plane light enough so that it can get airborne.
Many flights then have to touch down minutes later in nearby Thessaloniki to refuel.
There can be up to 100 people surrounding the runway on a busy day and the airport has been dubbed the European St Maarten.
The Caribbean airport has a short runway of just 1.4 miles, forcing planes to approach at low altitude.
Plane spotting is a popular activity at the Princess Juliana international airport but it can also be dangerous.
In 2017, a woman was thrown to her death after a low flying plane blew her off her feet.
Keen plane spotters say that the British Airlines flight was a particularly low-flying one
The footage shows the danger of trying to take a plane selfie, with the British Airways aircraft missing the spectator’s heads by just yards
The runway’s proximity to a beach at one end, with a public road on the other, make it difficult for planes to land
Tourists frequently flock to the runway, despite signs warning of the dangers of low flying aircraft
The New Zealand woman joined hundreds of other tourists at Saint Maarten to watch planes taking off at the beach-side Juliana International Airport.
She was holding onto the fence when she was blown from her feet before hitting her head on the rocks and suffering fatal injuries.
Tourists visiting the picturesque beach regularly climb up onto rocks to watch planes come into land, despite signs specifically warning against the danger.
Police on the Dutch territory make daily visits to the beach, which is popular with planespotters from around the world, to warn tourists of the dangers.