Reports from the “worst” airport in the world

Opinion of a British journalist on Heraklion Airport and current discriminatory conditions for people with disabilities.

check-in counter at Heraklion Airport
Queues at the check-in counter at Heraklion Airport.

On her recent trip to Crete, Isobel Plunkhurst visited Heraklion Airport.

In June, Isobel Pankhurst found herself at Heraklion Airport during a trip to Crete. The airport’s been around since the 1930s, and honestly, it shows—last major facelift was way back in the early ‘70s.

Still, her experience was surprisingly smooth. There was a hiccup about her hand luggage, some extra charge nonsense, but she managed to sort it out without coughing up any cash.

Check-in and security zipped by, which meant more time to poke around the duty‑free shops. She grabbed some gifts for family—always a win.

Food options? Not exactly thrilling, but for a place this size, she figured it could’ve been worse. The staff didn’t give her any grief, and nothing about the facilities stood out as a dealbreaker.

But wow, not everyone agrees. Plenty of travelers have called it “the worst airport on the planet,” and they don’t hold back: not enough seats, not exactly sparkling clean, and staff who, let’s just say, aren’t always brimming with charm.

One particularly harsh reviewer even claimed the airport made Greece look like a third-world country. That’s a bit much, but it gives you a sense of the strong feelings out there.

This place handles more people than it was ever meant to, especially when the crowds hit in spring and early summer. If you’re expecting glitzy lounges or anything remotely modern, you’re going to be disappointed.

Pros
Cons
Quick check-in process
Limited seating for passengers
Efficient security
Outdated infrastructure
Duty-free shopping
Limited food and dining choices
Views of the sea
Occasional unfriendly staff

Pankhurst’s take? It’s not the best, not the worst. She’s seen airports in worse shape—Marrakech comes to mind, and that’s saying something.

Sure, the reputation takes a hit when it gets crowded, and yeah, the place is old. But flights tend to run on time, and in the end, it gets the job done.

Stepping outside the airport, Crete itself is a whole different story. This island’s got layers—cultural, historical, and more than a little soul.

It’s the birthplace of Nikos Kazantzakis, the Greek writer who managed to bottle up so much of what makes Crete tick. If you’re into that kind of thing, you can find spots tied to him not far from the arrivals hall.

If you’re headed here during peak season, maybe pad your schedule a bit. June seemed manageable, at least in Pankhurst’s case.

Heraklion might not win any beauty contests, but it’s still the main way in and out of Crete for most folks. Not perfect, but it is what it is.

Source: Creta24


Disabled Travellers Neglected at Heraklion Airport – Assistance System Down, Toilets Locked

 

Disabled passengers at Heraklion Airport are running into real trouble right now. The assistance call system in the pickup and drop-off zones outside departures is just… not working.

It’s supposed to alert ground staff so travellers with mobility issues get help quickly. Instead, folks are left to flag down strangers, airport workers, or whoever happens to be nearby.

That means delays, awkwardness, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress. Not exactly what you want before a flight, right?

And as if that wasn’t enough, the toilets near departures are closed off for renovation. This is happening right in the thick of tourist season, which feels like pretty bad timing if you ask anyone there.

Passengers and even airport employees have been grumbling about the mess. It’s uncomfortable, and honestly, it doesn’t do Crete’s main airport any favors in terms of reputation.

Key Issues:

Issue
Impact
Assistance call system inactive
Disabled travellers lack timely professional help
Toilets closed for renovation
Discomfort for passengers and staff during peak times
Lack of dedicated support
Increased dependence on passers-by or workers

Source: NeaKriti

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