Crete Faces Record €18.5B Infrastructure Boom Ahead of 2028 Airport

Friday, 1 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Crete is currently at the center of one of Greece's largest construction booms, with major infrastructure groups holding an estimated 18.5 billion euros in contracted but not yet completed projects across the island. These works include road upgrades, the ongoing BOAK east-west highway expansion, and preparations related to the new Kastelli International Airport, expected to open around 2028. For visitors, this means some road closures, detours, and construction activity may be encountered, particularly in eastern Crete and around the Heraklion region. Travelers are advised to check local traffic updates before driving long distances, allow extra travel time on inland routes, and expect occasional lane restrictions near active work zones. Despite disruptions, the projects aim to significantly improve road connectivity and airport capacity, making future visits to Crete smoother and more accessible.