Newsflash from Saturday, 27 December 2025:
Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” has set a new all-time record, surpassing 10 million passengers before Christmas for the first time in its history, confirming 2025 as a landmark year for Crete’s main aviation gateway.
According to official figures, total passenger arrivals and departures reached 10,001,155 by December 24, breaking the symbolic 10-million mark just days before the end of the year. The milestone highlights the continued growth of tourism and air travel to Crete, even beyond the traditional summer season.
Airport officials report that November 2025 alone recorded a 9.1% increase in passenger arrivals compared to the same month last year, with nearly 246,000 passengers using the airport. Particularly notable is the strong rise in international arrivals, which increased by 45%, while December figures show an almost doubling of foreign arrivals.
Germany continues to be the airport’s leading source market, with more than one million passengers traveling to Crete this year. The United Kingdom, France, Israel, and Italy follow as key contributors to passenger traffic.
The strong performance reinforces confidence in Crete as a year-round destination and underscores the growing demands placed on Heraklion Airport’s infrastructure. As passenger numbers continue to rise, the record year further strengthens discussions around future upgrades and long-term planning for air transport on the island.
With days still remaining in 2025, Heraklion Airport is expected to close the year with its highest passenger total ever, setting a new benchmark for Greek regional airports.
