Crete is preparing to open a new international airport at Kastelli, located in the Heraklion regional unit on the northern coast, approximately 25 kilometres east of Heraklion city. The new facility is set to replace the existing Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, which is one of the busiest in Greece but has long been considered undersized for peak summer demand. Kastelli Airport is designed to handle up to 18 million passengers per year, significantly expanding capacity. The opening is currently projected for around 2028, though timelines have shifted previously. For visitors, this will mean better connections, reduced congestion during summer months, and a new transport corridor into eastern Crete. Travellers planning trips beyond 2028 should monitor updates on ground transport links between the new airport and Heraklion city.
