Crete Set to Open New Kastelli Airport Handling 18 Million Passengers

Saturday, 13 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Crete is preparing to open a new international airport near Kastelli, a town in the Heraklion regional unit approximately 25 kilometers east of the current Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport. The new facility is designed to replace the existing airport, which has long been operating beyond its intended capacity. Kastelli Airport is planned to handle up to 18 million passengers annually, offering significantly more terminal space, modern infrastructure, and improved runway capabilities for larger aircraft. The opening is currently projected for around 2028, though timelines remain subject to construction progress. For tourists, the new airport will mean easier access to central and eastern Crete, reduced congestion, and better connections to international destinations. Travelers planning trips after 2028 should confirm which airport serves their route, as transfer arrangements between the two sites are still being finalized.