Greece Privatizes 22 Airports Including Crete's Sitia in 40-Year Tender

Thursday, 23 April 2026/: CretaOne/1

Greece has launched a tender to privatize 22 remaining state-owned regional airports, including Sitia Airport in eastern Crete. The concession will run for 40 years and transfer operations to a private operator. Sitia Airport (JSH) currently serves seasonal domestic and charter flights, providing access to the eastern part of the island including Sitia town, Vai Beach, and the Minoan palace of Zakros. Privatization typically brings infrastructure upgrades and expanded route networks over time, though changes are unlikely to affect the upcoming 2026 season immediately. Travelers planning to visit eastern Crete should continue monitoring flight availability into Sitia, and may also consider flying into Heraklion as an alternative gateway with more frequent connections.