Trial Operation at Kastelli International Airport Scheduled for August 2026

With the opening of the Kastelli International Airport by February 2027, Crete will see a transformative shift into what local authorities and hospitality professionals like to call a “true year-round destination.” The so-called New Airport of Heraklion state-of-the-art infrastructure will welcome double the existing passenger traffic currently landing at the Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis.”

The Bold Vision Behind Crete’s New Airport

The Kastelli International Airport represents a massive upgrade, promising to handle the surge in tourism. If all goes well, trial operations will start in August 2026, giving enough runway—pun intended—to ensure a seamless transition before full operation starts. By February 2027, the existing Nikos Kazantzakis Airport will complete its transfer of all activity to this new hub. But is the plan feasible? Some experts say the airport’s opening will likely be delayed… again. Delays are a Cretan tradition, after all.

According to the ratified concession agreement, handled by the TERNA-GMR consortium with construction managed by TERNA, the project involves an ambitious series of developments, including:

• A new grade-separated interchange in Hersonissos connecting to the Northern Crete Highway (VOAK).
• An 18-kilometre closed motorway linking the airport to VOAK near Hersonissos.
• Restoration work along the existing national route between Hersonissos and Kastelli.
• A 5-kilometer road connecting the airport to the Arkalochori-Viannos road.
• A 1.5-kilometer new perimeter road circling Kastelli.
• An upgraded 20-kilometre external airport perimeter network, improving existing roadways.

The Kastelli International Airport itself will boast infrastructure that’s nothing short of impressive—or intimidating, depending on your fondness for massive projects:

• A runway stretching a solid 3,200 meters, compliant with ICAO Category 4E. Think of it as a long welcome mat for most commercial jets, minus the cosy feel.
• A parallel taxiway of equal length because why build one when you can match it with another?
• Eight taxiways linking the runway to the parallel path, keeping planes in check like a practical game of aviation hopscotch.
• Two additional taxiways dedicated to connecting military aviation facilities, because nothing says “multitasking” like blending commercial and military operations.
• An apron (aircraft parking area) sprawled over 400 acres, offering enough room to hold an airborne family reunion.

For parking enthusiasts—the frequent flyers among us—you’ll find a total of 27 ICAO Category C parking slots, plus 6 MARS bays under ICAO Category E. MARS, in case you’re curious, stands for Multiple Apron Ramp System. Fancy name for “we figured out how to park bigger planes efficiently.”

And what about the terminal? Well, the terminal building ups the ante with five levels covering a total of 93,572 square meters—about 32% larger than originally planned. According to the plans, 13,000 square meters will be dedicated to retail spaces, and an additional 1,100 square meters will be reserved for permanent exhibitions that showcase various aspects of Cretan culture and heritage.

Not stopping there, the airport will also feature 11 functional buildings or facilities to ensure everything runs like clockwork—or at least like a clock that gets reset often. Highlights include:

• Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower.
• Fire Department, because safety comes first (and occasionally second and third).
• A police station, just in case someone gets too combative over their seat assignment.
• Maintenance facilities, energy centres, and a fancy subterranean Hydrant system for aircraft refuelling—refined yet industrial.
• Storage tanks for water, biological treatment systems, and a state-of-the-art waste collection site will no doubt be where the magic of airport garbage begins.

Additional perks include vehicle parking lots, a web of interior roads, and 400 more acres devoted to commercial facilities. What’s a modern airport without reminding travellers that capitalism never takes a layover?

A Year-Round Playground for Travelers

Kastelli Airport’s potential stretches far beyond cutting travel times: Crete will become only the second destination in Greece—after Athens—with direct flights from key global hubs. Major international markets like the US, Canada, India, and China are already on the radar, turning Heraklion into a serious travel contender.

The idea of Crete as a 12-month destination is finally landing. “By 2030, we foresee a truly year-round tourist experience,” said Nikos Chalkiadakis, president of the Heraklion Hoteliers Association. He also predicted 15,000 additional hotel beds would be available to meet the influx of visitors.

That’s a solid plan, but what about resources? Experts already hint at water shortages and transportation bottlenecks. However, local initiatives, including desalination projects and smarter use of seawater in hotel pools, aim to bridge the gap. Even transit systems are expected to adapt and benefit from ongoing projects like the VOAK highway expansion.