Although the new airport was originally expected to start operations at the beginning of 2027, the schedule is likely to be postponed (2028?). Problems at the old airport in Heraklion this year too.
Progress at the new airport near Kastelli
The new airport in Kastelli, Crete, is a pretty major infrastructure project for the island. It’s set to replace the current Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport) with something a whole lot more modern and, well, bigger.
The whole idea is to handle way more visitors and improve transport links, which honestly, Crete could use given how busy the place gets.
Core Features of the Project
- The airport’s aiming to be a major transport hub in Crete and, if all goes as planned, could end up the second busiest airport in Greece.
- They’re planning extensive commercial zones—think about 443,000 square metres, which is quite a bit of space for shops, services, and who knows what else.
- Infrastructure’s being built with an eye on both current needs and whatever the future might throw at it, so operational capacity should be solid for years to come.
Energy Connection and Infrastructure
One of the trickier parts is the electrical connection for the new airport. They’re putting in a dedicated 150kV power transmission line to make sure electricity isn’t something anyone has to worry about.
This line will hook up the airport substation to Crete’s existing high-voltage network. Details? Sure:
- Two underground 150kV circuits, each about 7 kilometres, running side by side for extra reliability.
- A horizontal drilling section—roughly 91 metres—so they can safely get under a new motorway right by the airport substation.
- Then there’s an overhead bit: two single-circuit 150kV lines, together stretching about 22 kilometres, split into two sections of 11 kilometres each.
Project Oversight and Support
The Ministry of Environment and Energy is overseeing things, working with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Environmental terms have already been approved, so the project sticks to sustainability standards.
They’ve set some strict conditions to keep environmental impact in check, which, honestly, is pretty important for both the airport and the whole region.
Timeline and Funding
- Construction’s underway, with a finish date somewhere around 2027 if nothing goes off the rails.
- Funding comes from a concession agreement that covers design, operation, and management—so it’s not just a one-off investment.
- The whole thing is a big bet on Crete’s future, aiming to boost tourism and give the local economy a real shot in the arm.
Although TERNA’s construction work is being carried out at a very rapid pace, the exact date of commissioning of the airport depends on the delivery time and installation of the air navigation systems by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as well as the training of personnel by the CAA.
Although operations were originally expected to commence in early 2027, there is likely to be a delay to the timetable (2028?) without the investor being responsible for this.
Impact on Crete and Visitors
The new Kastelli airport is set to change what’s possible compared to the old Heraklion Airport. It’ll handle more arrivals and departures, opening up options for both domestic and international flights.
Expanded facilities and fresh infrastructure should help manage the rising number of visitors to Crete. There’s hope this will spread tourism benefits a bit more evenly across the island, which honestly feels overdue.
Aspect |
Detail |
|---|---|
Location |
Kastelli, Heraklion, Crete |
Completion Year |
Expected 2027 |
Power Supply |
Dedicated 150kV transmission line |
Commercial Space Area |
About 443,000 square metres |
Airport Rank in Greece |
Second busiest after Athens |
Key Authorities |
Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport |
This project isn’t just about passengers, either. It’s a big step for Crete’s overall transport network and, honestly, the local economy could use the boost.
The new setup should mean stronger connections, more reliable energy, and a lot more room for commercial activity. There’s a sense of anticipation—maybe even a little skepticism—but it’s hard not to wonder how much things will change once it’s all up and running.
There will be problems at the old airport in Heraklion again this year
Heraklion Airport keeps feeling the squeeze every summer, thanks to a steady flood of passengers. The place is roomy enough in the off-season, but come peak months, it’s a whole different story.
Honestly, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change this year. Some headaches are pretty much guaranteed, though they’ll likely pop up in just a few corners of the airport.
The airport manager, Iakovos Ouranos, says they’ve tried to get ahead of things this time. Maintenance crews have already swapped out all the central air conditioning units and heat pumps.
That should make the terminal a bit more bearable when the heat cranks up. Comfort matters, especially when flights get delayed and everyone’s stuck inside.
But not everything’s been solved. Cleaning services and restroom facilities haven’t really gotten a proper upgrade.
Those spots are still the sore points, especially for foreign travelers. There’s been some patch-up work on the hygiene side, but a full renovation? Still waiting on that.
Ouranos makes it clear: bigger changes need to happen before the new airport at Kastelli finally opens its doors.
Arrivals are climbing. April saw a 17% bump over last year, and May’s numbers are just a touch higher than 2024.
Heraklion’s clearly not losing its appeal as a travel hub in Crete—or Greece in general, for that matter.
Germans and Britons still make up the bulk of tourists passing through. Lately, Israel’s become a hot market too.
There’s also a growing trickle of visitors from Istanbul and Saudi Arabia, which suggests Crete’s pulling in a broader crowd than ever.
Key Points:
- Capacity challenges: The current airport is under strain during summer due to rising passenger numbers.
- Maintenance work: Replacement of air conditioning equipment completed; other restorations ongoing.
- Cleaning and restrooms: Still require significant attention and renovation.
- Traffic growth: 17% increase in April arrivals; May shows slight rise.
- Tourist demographics: Dominated by Germans and British; Israel, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia growing markets.
- Future outlook: Full facility upgrades planned with the new airport at Kastelli to improve passenger experience.
The pressure on Heraklion Airport really highlights just how much Crete needs better transport infrastructure.
The new airport at Kastelli is a big investment, and honestly, it can’t come soon enough if the island wants to keep up with the tourist crowds.
For now, though, the airport’s juggling a bunch of small, everyday issues while traffic keeps climbing.
It’s a tricky mix—trying to keep things running smoothly, help people find jobs, and make sure tourism keeps fueling the local economy.
