Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis Airport has passed the 10 million passenger mark before the end of October, putting 2026 on course to become another record year despite the airport’s ageing infrastructure and intense seasonal pressure.
The airport is expected to finish the year with approximately 10.5 million passenger movements, according to airport director Iakovos Ouranos, who spoke to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
The projected figure would represent a new historic high and an increase of about 4% compared with 2025.
By the beginning of November, total passenger traffic had already surpassed the entire passenger movement recorded during 2025.
The Numbers Behind the Record
The latest figures reported by the airport show strong growth across both international and domestic traffic.
- 10 million+ passenger movements reached by the end of October
- 10.5 million passenger movements expected for the full year
- Around 4% projected annual increase
- 4.18 million+ international passenger movements, up 4.1%
- 808,611 domestic passenger movements, up 3.2%
- 66,547 aircraft movements, up 5%
- 8.85 million passengers travelled through the airport between May and October
- Around 400 flights per day during the peak period
- More than 60,000 passenger movements per day during the busiest period
The airport’s traffic remains heavily seasonal. The six-month period from May through October accounted for the overwhelming majority of annual passenger movements.
Ouranos said May and October each recorded around 1.2 million passengers, while June and September reached between 1.4 million and 1.5 million.
July and August remained the two busiest months, with each exceeding 1.8 million passenger movements.
August 2 Was the Airport’s Busiest Day
The single busiest day of 2026 so far came on Sunday, August 2.
According to Ouranos:
- 406 aircraft movements were recorded
- Almost 68,000 passenger movements were handled
- The day represented the highest daily traffic level of the season
July and August continue to function as the airport’s two major traffic engines, accounting for a substantial share of the annual total.
Germany Remains the Biggest Source Market
Germany continues to lead Heraklion’s international passenger markets during the first ten months of the year.
The top five markets were:
- Germany: 1.22 million arrivals, up 2.3%
- United Kingdom: 685,048 passengers, up 3.2%
- France: 431,254 passengers, up 1.3%
- Poland
- Netherlands
Israel ranked sixth with 199,550 passengers, representing an 18% increase.
Several smaller markets recorded much sharper percentage growth:
- Lithuania: +42.2%
- Cyprus: +136.4%
- Turkey: +63.6%
- Albania: +172%
Ouranos attributed the particularly strong performances from Cyprus, Turkey and Albania mainly to flights continuing to operate to Larnaca, Istanbul and Tirana during the winter period.
Not every market moved upwards. Belgium declined by 16.6%, Sweden by 14.2%, and Norway by 5.8%.
Domestic Traffic Makes a Comeback
One of the more interesting developments in the 2026 figures has been the recovery in domestic passenger traffic during July and August.
Domestic arrivals increased by more than 7% during those two months, following marginal declines earlier in the year.
International traffic also remained strong during the first quarter, helped by additional international flights.
Ten Million Passengers, One Very Old Airport
Handling more than 10 million passengers is an impressive figure for any airport.
At Nikos Kazantzakis, it also underlines the pressure being placed on infrastructure that is already approaching the end of its operational life.
Ouranos described daily airport management as a continuing challenge, covering everything from aircraft movements on the apron to baggage handling, passport control, check-in, security and passenger waiting areas.
The pressure does not stop at the terminal. Tour buses, taxis, rental cars and other transport vehicles add another layer of traffic around the airport, alongside cleaning and maintenance requirements.
The airport director credited the staff and partner organizations for maintaining operations during the busiest periods.
Six Toilet Blocks to Be Rebuilt
With two more tourist seasons expected before operations move to the new Heraklion International Airport at Kasteli, the existing airport is still receiving a list of necessary upgrades.
According to Ouranos, work is beginning on the reconstruction of six toilet complexes, while other sanitary facilities will undergo extensive maintenance before the 2027 season.
The airport has also completed an expansion of its Wi-Fi network, providing free coverage throughout the terminal.
Other planned or contracted works include:
- Repairs and improvements to sections of the airport perimeter fence
- Work on apron lighting masts
- Projects involving structural and operational facilities
- Baggage conveyor systems
- Air-conditioning
- Road surfaces
- Cleaning services
Additional resources have already been approved for new tenders covering further infrastructure work.
Two More Seasons Before Kasteli
The existing Heraklion airport will continue operating for two more tourist seasons before the new international airport at Kasteli takes over.
That leaves airport management with the slightly awkward task of keeping an ageing facility safe and functional while passenger numbers continue to climb.
The numbers may be historic, but the immediate priority remains basic airport functionality.
As Ouranos told ANA-MPA, records are there to be broken. His stated priority, however, is not another numerical milestone but the safe and high-quality service of passengers travelling to and from Heraklion and Crete.
For an airport that has already pushed beyond 10 million passenger movements, that may be the more useful record to maintain.
Argophilia Takeaway
Heraklion is heading toward another passenger record, with approximately 10.5 million movements expected in 2026.
The figures confirm continued demand for Crete, but they also expose the limits of the airport serving that demand. Nikos Kazantzakis is doing the job while carrying infrastructure constraints that are increasingly difficult to ignore.
The good news is that Kasteli is coming, although we expect more delays. The less glamorous news is that Nikos Kazantzakis still has to get through two more tourist seasons first. And judging by the numbers, nobody should expect those seasons to be quiet.
