Kastelli Airport to Open in November 2028, Handling 18M Passengers

Wednesday, 6 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Crete's new international airport, located at Kastelli east of Heraklion, is scheduled to begin commercial operations in November 2028. The facility will replace the existing Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, which has long operated beyond its designed capacity. The new airport is built to handle up to 18 million passengers per year, significantly expanding the island's air traffic capabilities. Officials note that full operational readiness depends on the completion of supporting air navigation systems, which are being coordinated alongside construction. For travellers planning future trips to Crete, the new airport will offer improved terminals, better connections, and reduced congestion compared to the current facility. Visitors arriving before 2028 will continue to use the existing Heraklion airport. The Kastelli airport project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Greek aviation history.