tourism

Heraklion Airport Overwhelmed by Summer Surge, Relief Unlikely This Season

Friday, 3 July 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Heraklion's Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is experiencing severe overcrowding during peak summer days, with passenger numbers exceeding 60,000 daily. The airport, which was not designed to handle current traffic volumes, is struggling to cope with the surge in arrivals and departures. Structural and regulatory limitations mean significant improvements cannot be made in the short term, leaving conditions unlikely to ease this season. Tourists flying into or out of Heraklion should expect long queues at check-in, security, and baggage claim, particularly during morning and evening peak hours. Arriving well ahead of your flight departure time is strongly advised. The new Kastelli International Airport, currently under construction east of Heraklion, is expected to relieve pressure on Nikos Kazantzakis once it opens, but that remains several years away.

Read original article → CretaOne