Crete's Kastelli Airport Will Handle 18M Passengers by 2028

Tuesday, 16 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Crete is building a new international airport near Kastelli, a town located approximately 25 kilometres east of Heraklion in the Pediada region. The facility is designed to replace Heraklion's existing Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, which currently operates well beyond its original capacity. Kastelli airport is projected to handle up to 18 million passengers per year once fully operational, compared to the roughly 8 million the current airport manages. The opening is anticipated around 2028, though construction timelines remain subject to change. For travellers, the new airport will mean a longer transfer to central Heraklion and popular western destinations like Chania and Rethymno, so visitors should factor in additional travel time when planning accommodation and car hire. Road infrastructure connecting Kastelli to the east-west BOAK motorway is being developed in parallel to ease access across the island.