- Greece’s Council of State (StE) has officially rejected the lawsuit filed by the Municipality of Minoa Pediadas, local organizations, and citizens seeking to block the installation of airport radar on Papoura Hill.
- The high court’s ruling dismisses arguments that the radar infrastructure threatens the newly discovered Minoan architectural monument atop the hill, paving the way for the Ministry of Infrastructure to proceed with its air navigation designs.
- The legal battle followed months of friction between local authorities and the government, after the March 4 court hearing and subsequent legal briefs stalled while awaiting the final verdict.
- The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Culture consistently maintained that Papoura Hill is the only technically viable location for the new Kasteli International Airport’s navigation systems.
Court Clears Path for Kasteli Airport Radar
A high-stakes legal battle over protecting archaeological heritage versus aviation infrastructure has reached a definitive turning point. The Council of State has issued its long-awaited ruling, rejecting an appeal brought by the Municipality of Minoa Pediadas and local citizen groups to stop the placement of air navigation radar on Papoura Hill.
The lawsuit, argued before the Supreme Administrative Court on March 4, sought to overturn ministerial decisions approving the installation of the radar system near a unique Minoan hilltop architectural find discovered during preliminary work for the new Kasteli International Airport.
Throughout the dispute, local stakeholders, archaeologists, and municipal leaders argued that placing heavy technical infrastructure so close to the ancient monument compromises its integrity and archaeological value. Conversely, government officials—including Infrastructure Ministry leadership—argued that technical constraints rendered Papoura Hill an absolute necessity and the only suitable location for the airport’s radar array.
Next Steps and Local Reaction
With the high court ruling in favor of the state, the Ministry of Infrastructure is legally cleared to move forward with installing the navigation systems required for the airport’s eventual launch.
The decision is expected to trigger swift reactions from local authorities in Minoa Pediadas and archaeological associations, who have spent months fighting the zoning designation. While the ruling removes the final major legal roadblock to the project’s technical rollout, tension over the balance between regional development and heritage protection on Papoura Hill remains high.
