Crete's New Kastelli Airport Will Welcome 18M Passengers by 2028

Wednesday, 3 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Crete is preparing to open a new international airport near the village of Kastelli, located approximately 25 kilometers east of Heraklion in central Crete. The new facility, officially named Crete International Airport, is designed to replace the aging Nikos Kazantzakis Airport and is planned to open around 2028. With a projected capacity of up to 18 million passengers per year, the airport will significantly increase the island's ability to handle growing tourist traffic. The site offers better infrastructure potential and room for expansion compared to the current airport. For visitors, the new airport will mean more flight connections, improved terminal facilities, and reduced congestion during peak summer months. Road links connecting Kastelli to Heraklion and the rest of the island, including the BOAK east-west highway, are being developed in parallel to support the new hub.