When we pull up, a procession of Mercedes minibuses are lining up to drop off travellers who appear bronzed within an inch of their life.
asserted
who → pull → life
Despite the island’s reputation, no passengers, it seems, exhibit the signs of a hangover from hell.
asserted
it → seem → hell
This is a small, seasonal airport, operating between the months of May and October.
uncertain
This → operate → May
A number of people sit outside, smoking in shaded areas to escape the intense sun.
asserted
number → sit → sun
With its modern white, curved stone walls that mimic the island’s traditional Cycladic dwellings, this has to be one of the most striking airports I’ve ever seen.
asserted
I → mimic → airports
The whitewashed exterior features modern geometric triangle cut-outs and stone flooring.
asserted
exterior → feature → outs
Outside, it looks like a modern Mykonos village; inside, it could be anywhere.
uncertain
it → look → village
It’s a full flight today and there’s a queue at the check-in counter.
asserted
It → ’ → counter
It’s about a 20-minute wait, but when we reach the front, staff are friendly and warm, reminding us that we don’t need to collect our luggage in Athens for the onward flight to Rome.
asserted
we → ’ → Rome
We’re slightly nervous that there’s only 40 minutes between our connecting flight, but we still make the plane even though the outbound journey from Mykonos is delayed.
asserted
journey → ’re → Mykonos
It’s somewhat chaotic, with airport staff juggling large volumes of people.
asserted
staff → ’ → people
I ask several times whether I can take water through, but am ignored.
asserted
I → ask → water
Instead, the staff member grabs both my bottles, shoves them on a tray and pushes them through the X-ray before I have time to realise what’s going on.
asserted
what → grab → time
We meet again at the other side, where security throws one in the bin and empties the other.
asserted
security → meet → other
I get a strong sense that they’re used to dealing with people that don’t travel much.
asserted
that → get → people
You can grab ham and cheese paninis, spanakopita and slices of pizza at Bistro de Cavaleri before you pass through security.
asserted
you → grab → security
A central bar Tashba serves beer, wine, tapas and sushi.
asserted
bar → serve → beer
Given Mykonos’ renown as the party mecca of the Greek Islands, I’m surprised to see how civilised everyone is.
asserted
everyone → give → Islands
This airport is refreshingly wholesome compared to its counterpart in Ibiza.
asserted
airport → compare → Ibiza
RETAIL THERAPY
Next to Bistro de Cavaleri is a handful of things to buy, including colourful oversized ceramic bead necklaces at Athens Protasi, stylish shades at Occhio and Mykonos shot glasses and evil-eye key rings at JMK Kioski.
asserted
handful → buy → Kioski
There’s also a duty-free section after security which sells edible souvenirs including packaged baklava and kataifi.
asserted
which → ’ → baklava
It’s busy, but we’re still able to find seating in this one-terminal airport.
asserted
we → ’ → airport
Perhaps that’s because UK passport holders are required to go through an additional immigration step and sit in a separate area of the terminal (no one mention Brexit).
asserted
one → ’ → Brexit
Premium Mastercard holders can access the airport’s sole lounge, Your Mykonian Luxury Lounge, or you can also book a maximum two-hour stay beforehand via LoungePass from $US32 ($46).
asserted
you → access → US32
See loungepass.com
THE VERDICT
For such a compact airport, it’s very well facilitated and doesn’t feel overcrowded.
asserted
it → see → airport
If you’re flying Aegean, be prepared for delays, and if you have a connecting flight in Athens, make sure you book an onward flight with at least a couple of hours between the two to give yourself peace of mind.
asserted
you → fly → mind
The Aporia
