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Heraklion International Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis, is an airport in Crete, Greece. It is located near the city of Heraklion, the largest administrative and financial centre of the island. The airport first opened in 1939 and has since undergone several expansions, with the latest one completed in March 2018. However, the airport has received negative reviews for its poor infrastructure and limited facilities. A new airport, Kasteli International Airport, is currently under construction and is scheduled to replace the current Heraklion International Airport in 2027. The new airport will be located just 10km from the current one and will serve as a hub for central Crete, providing international links for the entire island.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" |
| Location | In the center of Crete, 25 minutes from Heraklion, the island's largest administrative and financial center |
| History | Opened in March 1939 on a piece of flat agricultural land. It was the site of the Battle of Heraklion during the Battle of Crete in 1941, after which civilian operations ceased until 1946. |
| Current State | Poor reviews citing issues with seating, toilets, pricing, and overall cleanliness. |
| Future | Scheduled to cease operations in 2027 and be replaced by the expanded Kasteli Airport. |
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What You'll Learn
The current Heraklion airport is in a state of disrepair
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", is the main airport serving the island of Crete, Greece. The airport first opened in March 1939 and has since undergone several expansion projects to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. However, despite its long history and ongoing development efforts, the current Heraklion airport has fallen into a state of disrepair, with numerous reports and reviews highlighting its shortcomings.
One of the most prominent issues faced by travellers passing through the airport is the lack of adequate seating in the departure hall and other waiting areas. This has resulted in overcrowding and an uncomfortable experience for passengers, especially during peak hours. In addition to the lack of seating, the airport also suffers from limited dining and shopping options. The single shop in the check-in area is often criticised as being too narrow and inadequate for the number of travellers passing through.
The restrooms at Heraklion airport have also come under fire for their unhygienic conditions and lack of basic amenities. Reviews describe toilets as "filthy" and "disgusting," with missing or broken toilet seats, non-functioning flushes, and an absence of soap, sanitiser, and even toilet paper. The poor state of the restrooms has been a significant source of frustration for passengers, who expect better hygiene and cleanliness in an airport setting.
In addition to the physical state of the airport, travellers have also reported issues with airport operations and security. Long wait times at check-in and security checkpoints have been a common complaint, with inefficient processes and insufficient staffing contributing to delays. Furthermore, some passengers have raised concerns about the professionalism of security personnel, highlighting potential security breaches and a lack of constant surveillance.
The overall impression of Heraklion airport is that it has not kept up with the times, with outdated infrastructure and facilities that fail to meet modern standards. The airport is described as "run down" and in desperate need of renovation. Many travellers have expressed disappointment and frustration with their experience, stating that it has negatively impacted their impression of Crete and Greece as a whole.
To address these issues, a new airport is currently under construction at Kasteli, located just 10km from Heraklion. The new Kasteli International Airport is expected to replace the current Heraklion airport as the main hub for central Crete, providing modern facilities and improved travel experiences for passengers. The new airport is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, bringing much-needed enhancements to the region's aviation infrastructure.
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A new airport is being built in Kasteli, 10km from Heraklion
A new airport is being built in Kasteli, approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Heraklion, on the Greek island of Crete. The airport, known as Kasteli International Airport, will replace the existing Heraklion International Airport as the hub for central Crete and provide international links for the whole island. The new airport will be constructed over an area of 600 hectares (1,500 acres) and will include a 3,800-metre (12,500-foot) runway, capable of accommodating larger aircraft than the current Heraklion airport.
The idea for a civilian airport at Kasteli was first proposed in 1986 by then-Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. The project officially entered the implementation phase in 2020, with a foundation-laying ceremony marking the start of construction. The airport is expected to open in 2025 or 2027 and will initially be able to handle nine million passengers per year, with a maximum capacity of 18 million.
The new airport will feature a 72,000-square-metre terminal building, 27 aircraft parking spaces, and a commercial area for future development. It will be designed with sustainability and CO2 footprint reduction in mind and will include a museum space dedicated to Cretan history and mythology. The construction of the airport is part of an effort to meet the growing demand for tourism in Crete, which is one of the top five tourist destinations in Greece.
The existing Heraklion airport has been criticised for its poor facilities and lack of updates, with some travellers stating that it has put them off returning to Crete. The new Kasteli airport is expected to boost tourism and provide a more modern and efficient travel experience for visitors to the island.
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The new airport will be accessible from Heraklion in under 25 minutes
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", is an airport in Crete, Greece. The airport first opened in March 1939 and has been in operation since, apart from during the Second World War. However, the airport has received much criticism in recent years for its poor facilities and lack of upkeep.
A new airport is currently being built in Kasteli, which is located about 10km from Heraklion. The new Kasteli International Airport will replace the current Heraklion International Airport as the hub for central Crete, but it will also provide international links for all of Crete. The new airport will be accessible from Heraklion in under 25 minutes via the Northern Road Axis (BOAK). The Northern and Southern parts of Crete will be connected through a new modern highway of two express lanes and one emergency lane in each direction. This will create new prospects for development and access to the Valley of Messara, Ierapetra, Kaloi Limenes, and Tympaki. The new airport will also be less than 20 minutes away from Hersonissos.
The new airport will have a range of improved facilities, including a new runway for landing and take-off, a general aviation/VIP terminal, de-icing and aircraft washing installations, fuel tanks, biological treatment, and waste management installations, and MRO aircraft maintenance hangar infrastructure. There will also be terminal commercial areas, a bus terminal station, storage areas, and airport office areas.
The current Heraklion airport is scheduled to cease operations in 2027, and the new Kasteli airport is expected to begin commercial operations in the same year. The new airport will have 19 boarding gates, 8 of which will be for combined use for Schengen and non-Schengen flights. The terminal will have an area of 94,000 square meters and will consist of 8 levels.
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The current airport is scheduled to close in 2027
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", is located in Crete. The airport first opened in March 1939 and has since become the hub for central Crete. However, the current airport is scheduled to close in 2027.
The new Kasteli International Airport, located about 10km from Heraklion, will replace the current Heraklion International Airport. The construction of the new airport has been a subject of controversy due to concerns about the environmental impact of increasing aviation capacity. The airport is expected to increase passenger capacity to nearly 15 million by 2050, with some estimates even exceeding 18 million. This significant increase in air traffic has raised questions about the climate impacts of the project, especially considering aviation's contribution to global warming.
Despite these concerns, the Greek Government, in partnership with the private sector, and backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), is moving forward with the expansion. The new airport will be a "green airport", focusing on reducing its CO2 footprint and integrating modern technology and innovative applications. It will also serve as an important interconnection between the North and South of Crete, providing improved road safety and access to various locations on the island.
The current Heraklion airport has received criticism for its poor facilities, including issues with seating, cleanliness, and limited food and shopping options. The airport is reportedly over triple its capacity, with approximately 6 million passengers, and has not received funding for improvements due to the construction of the new airport.
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Heraklion airport first opened in March 1939
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", first opened in March 1939. At that time, the airport was just a piece of flat agricultural land. The Junkers Ju 52 was the first plane to carry passengers to the airport.
During the early years of the airport's operation, it only offered very basic services. There were no buildings, and the installations were primitive. Three tents were used for administration, airline companies, and the passenger hall. The runway was lit by storm lamps, and smoke from burning dry grass was used for wind determination.
In 1941, during the Second World War, the airfield was the site of the Battle of Heraklion during the Battle of Crete. Civilian operations ceased during the war but resumed in the autumn of 1946, with the introduction of DC-3 aircraft.
In 1947, the first small terminal was built, and Hellenic Airlines began commercial flights a year later, in 1948. The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements since then. The latest expansion project began in October 2017 and was completed in March 2018, in time for the airport's high season.
Today, Heraklion International Airport is located in central Crete and provides international links for the entire island. However, it has received poor reviews for its crowded and outdated facilities, with some travellers even stating that it is one of the worst airports they have ever been to. A new Kasteli International Airport is currently being constructed and is expected to replace the current Heraklion airport in 2027.
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Frequently asked questions
Heraklion Airport is located in the centre of Crete. It is 25 minutes away from Heraklion, the island's largest administrative and financial centre.
The current Heraklion Airport is in a dilapidated state. Travellers have complained about the lack of seats, poor sanitation, and expensive food and duty-free outlets.
The new Kasteli International Airport is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027.
The current Heraklion Airport will cease operations in 2027 when the new airport opens.
Annual passenger traffic data is not available, but the following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Heraklion Airport: Bluebird Airways, which has its head office at the airport, and Hellenic Airlines.
