Corfu Airport

[nifnaf123]

I wonder if anyone can explain this...

I recently flew from Corfu airport to Gatwick on a Thomson 737. Corfu airport has a single runway and is a relatively small airport and can only accommodate smaller narrow body aircraft (due to a very short runway).

While waiting for my flight in the departure lounge, I witnessed a Thomas Cook A321 and a Thomson 737 (my aircraft) land on runway 35 in the northerly direction. I then saw the Thomas Cook A321 complete its turn around and take off on runway 17, in the southerly direction. This was about 45 minutes after it landed, so I thought maybe that the airport had changed to using the southerly runway in the time the aircraft had been on the ground.

I then boarded my flight and as we taxied for departure, I expected that we would line up and depart on runway 17 in the southerly direction like the previous aircraft that departed about 15 minutes before. However we departed on runway 35 in the northerly direction, the same runway that both of the aircraft landed on...

I wonder if anyone can explain this? The Thomas Cook aircraft was travelling to Manchester, so a northerly departure would have been beneficial, like our aircraft that was travelling to Gatwick...

Thanks in advance

[ESQU]

The take off performance is calculated for the runway for every takeoff using the weight of the aircraft, the wind direction and speed, the runway state (dry, wet, snow covered), outside temperature and any obstacles (such as hills etc) in the take off and climb out area. If the aircraft is too heavy to take off in those conditions it must either lose weight (passengers, suitcases and/or fuel), wait for better weather or if conditions allow, use another runway.

The takeoff and climb out from RW 35 in Corfu is towards high ground that can really limit the performance of the aircraft in some weather conditions. The wind must of been light enough to accept the tail wind and takeoff away from the high ground towards the sea on RW 17.

[highflyer40]

If there is very little wind just request whichever runway you like, although I wouldn't try this at a busy airport, but Corfu...

[Captain Capstan]

Corfu has substantial obstacles on 35 due to Corfu city being just at the end of the runway. The 757 and 767 had plenty of available performance so were able to use 35 and return to the UK without restrictions. The 737-200 was very restricted and if 35 had to be used a tech stop usually at Brindisi would be necessary to get home. 17 even with a slight tailwind gave much better performance and so was the preferred departure runway.

[Doors to Automatic]

A321s struggle with performance for some reason - going South there are no obstacles as it is over sea. As has been mentioned already the 757 would have no issues with a full load and fuel - it could probably make Manchester, nominate Corfu as an alternate and still comfortably make it off 35!

I am guessing it was hot? I was there a couple of years ago when it was 38/28 temp/dp. The heat index was insane!