Chania International Airport: A Gateway To Crete's Beauty

what is airport in chania crete

Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis (IATA: CHQ, ICAO: LGSA) is an international airport located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete. It is about 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from Chania Town and the port of Souda. The airport is named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule. Chania Airport has been operating since 1937 and serves around 2 million passengers a year, flying to domestic and international destinations. It is one of two international airports on the island of Crete, the other being Heraklion Airport.

Characteristics Values
Name Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis"
IATA Code CHQ
ICAO Code LGSA
Location Akrotiri peninsula, near Souda Bay, 13-15 km from Chania Town
Number of Terminals 1
Accessibility Fully accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility
Amenities Restaurants, cafes, shops, ATMs, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, medical centre, parking
Transport Connections Bus, taxi, shuttle services
Airlines Aegean Airlines, British Airways, Jet2, Ryanair, Sky Express

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Chania Airport's location and transport links

Chania International Airport "Ioannis" or "Daskalogiannis" (IATA: CHQ) is located on the Akrotiri peninsula (Souda) on the north-west of Crete, Greece. The airport is around 13 to 15 kilometres from Chania, the city it serves, and is about 14 kilometres from Chania Town and the port of Souda. Chania Airport is one of two international airports on the island, the other being Heraklion Airport, which is 148 kilometres away.

Chania Airport is accessible by bus and taxi. The KTEL bus network offers connections to popular destinations in Crete, including Rethymno and Chania Town. Local taxis are available 24 hours a day and provide journeys all over the island. It is also possible to pre-book a private transfer.

The airport is small, with just one terminal, but it still has a good range of amenities. These include shops, restaurants, cafes, duty-free, ATMs, charging stations, and free Wi-Fi. There is also a small medical centre and an information desk. The airport is fully accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility.

Chania Airport has been operating since 1937 and serves around 1.5 to 2 million passengers a year, making it the second busiest airport in Crete and the sixth busiest in Greece. It hosts domestic flights to and from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as other Greek airports, and some international flights, particularly during the summer travel season.

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Amenities and services at Chania Airport

Chania Airport, also known as Chania International Airport, Chania Crete International Airport, and Chania Souda Airport, is located on the Akrotiri peninsula (Souda), about 13-15 km from the city of Chania. It is a small airport with a single terminal, but it offers a range of amenities and services for passengers.

Chania Airport provides both short-term and long-term parking spaces, with the first 20 minutes of parking offered for free. The airport is also easily accessible by public transport, taxi, and shuttle buses provided by travel agencies and hotels. The local taxis are available 24 hours a day and provide journeys all over the island. Car rental services are also available on-site from companies such as Avance/Trust, Avis/Budget, Hertz/Thrifty, Kydon, and Sixt.

For travellers looking for food and shopping options, there are a few different dining choices available in both the Arrivals and Departures areas, including restaurants, cafes, and a mini-market. Duty-free shopping and a traditional crafts market are also available.

Chania Airport offers essential services such as free unlimited WiFi, spacious toilets, baby care and changing facilities, currency exchange, and ATMs. An information desk and a First Aid station are also available on the ground floor.

The airport serves a range of airlines, including Aegean Airlines, British Airways, Jet2, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Condor, EasyJet, Finnair, Lufthansa, Olympic Air, Ryanair, and many others.

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History of Chania Airport

Chania International Airport "Ioannis" Daskalogiannis (IATA: CHQ, ICAO: LGSA) is located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete. The airport is named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule.

Chania Airport was constructed in 1954 at Maleme and initially served only domestic flights until 1959. In 1959, it moved to the existing military airfield on the peninsula of Akrotiri (or Souda), which also began to be used for passenger flights. The airport has been in operation since 1967, the same year the first terminal was built, with two aircraft stands. In 1974, the airport began serving international flights, with the first flight to Chania Airport coming that year.

Increased tourism in Chania meant that a new terminal building had to be constructed, with the new building completed in 1996 in a different location, with six aircraft stands. In 2005, the airport was officially named the "Ioannis Daskalogiannis National Airport of Chania". The new airport has a total surface of 14,650 square metres and six aircraft stands. Chania Airport is the second busiest airport in Crete, serving around 2 million passengers each year.

In December 2015, the privatisation of Chania International Airport was finalised, with Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group taking over operations in April 2017. In June 2018, Fraport Greece completed new aircraft layouts, doubling the parking space, expanding the passenger safety area, and increasing the number of boarding gates from 14 to 16.

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Airlines and flights serving Chania Airport

Chania Airport, also known as Chania International Airport, Chania Crete International Airport, and Chania Souda Airport, is located on the Akrotiri peninsula (Souda), about 13 to 20 kilometres from the city of Chania. It is the smallest of the two airports in Crete and has a single terminal. Despite its small size, the airport serves around 2 million passengers annually, including those travelling with major airlines such as Aegean Airlines, British Airways, and Jet2.

Chania Airport operates domestic flights to and from Athens and Thessaloniki, with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air being two of the airlines serving these routes. During the summer travel season, the airport also offers direct charter flights to and from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and other European countries.

As of April 2025, 26 airlines fly from Chania to 98 airports around the world. These include:

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Air Serbia
  • Astra Airlines
  • Austrian
  • British Airways
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Condor
  • Discover Airlines
  • EasyJet
  • Edelweiss Air
  • Eurowings
  • Finnair
  • Jet2
  • Luxair
  • Neos
  • Norwegian Air
  • Norwegian Air International
  • Norwegian Air UK
  • Ryanair
  • SAS
  • Sky Express
  • SmartWings
  • Transavia
  • Transavia France
  • TUI Airlines Belgium
  • Wizz Air Malta

Some specific non-stop flights from Chania International Airport include:

  • London Heathrow with British Airways
  • London Luton with EasyJet
  • London Stansted with Jet2 or Ryanair
  • Manchester with EasyJet, Jet2, or Ryanair
  • Newcastle with Jet2 or Ryanair
  • Nottingham with Ryanair
  • Geneva with EasyJet
  • Zurich with Edelweiss Air
  • Basel Mulhouse Freiburg with EasyJet
  • Tel Aviv with Ryanair, Israir, Austrian, Wizz Air Malta, and Ryanair
  • Birmingham with Jet2 or Ryanair
  • Bournemouth with Ryanair
  • Bristol with EasyJet or Jet2
  • Glasgow with EasyJet

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Hotels near Chania Airport

Chania Airport, or Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis (CHQ), is located on the Akrotiri peninsula (Souda), about 13-15 km from Chania. It is the second busiest airport in Crete, serving around 2 million passengers annually. The airport consists of a single terminal, with separate arrival and departure areas.

There are several hotel options near Chania Airport, including:

  • Kathiana Cozy Apartment: This apartment in Kathiana offers free private parking, a free shuttle service, and free Wifi. It is away from the hustle and bustle of Chania, offering a quiet stay with a fantastic view of planes taking off and landing.
  • Villa Luz: Located in Koumariés, Villa Luz offers accommodations with a garden, a terrace, and free private parking. It is situated near the airport and the historic Monastery, making it an ideal option for those looking to explore the area.
  • Nos Aqua Villas Chania: Located in Pazinos, Nos Aqua Villas offers modern accommodations, an outdoor swimming pool, and a garden.
  • Pazinos Casa Maya: This large and comfortable house is located in Chania and features a garden. It is close to the airport, restaurants, and the highway, making it a convenient option for travellers.
  • Esthisis Suites: While there is limited information available, Esthisis Suites is mentioned as a hotel option near Chania Airport.

In addition to these hotels, there are 568 hotels to choose from within a 5-mile radius of Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ). Chania Airport is easily accessible by public transport, taxis, and shuttle buses provided by travel agencies and hotels for their guests.

Frequently asked questions

Chania International Airport, also known as Chania Airport, Souda Airport, and Ioannis Daskalogiannis.

Chania Airport is located on the Akrotiri peninsula (Souda), about 13-15 km from Chania.

You can get to and from the airport by bus, taxi, or hotel shuttle. The KTEL bus network offers connections around Crete to destinations such as Rethymno. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be pre-booked with a private company.

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