tourism

Kastelli Airport on Track: Structural Done 2026, Flights 2028

Wednesday, 17 June 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Construction on the new Kastelli International Airport, located near Heraklion in central-eastern Crete, is on track for structural completion in 2026. However, the airport is not expected to begin handling commercial flights until 2028. The delay between physical completion and operational launch stems from the time required to install and certify all flight systems, navigation infrastructure, and terminal equipment. When fully open, Kastelli will replace Heraklion's existing Nikos Kazantzakis Airport and is designed to handle up to 18 million passengers per year. For tourists planning trips to Crete, Heraklion Airport remains the primary arrival point until at least 2028. Travelers should continue booking flights into Heraklion and expect no changes to current routes or access in the near term.

Read original article → CretaOne