Heraklion International Airport In Crete A Game-Changer For Tourism And Transport With Direct Links To India By 2027
Published on
November 20, 2025
Heraklion International Airport in Crete is set to revolutionize tourism and transport by introducing direct flight links to India by 2027. This new connectivity will significantly enhance travel options for Indian tourists, offering seamless access to the rich cultural and natural attractions of Crete. The move is expected to boost tourism, strengthen trade ties, and position the airport as a key hub in the Mediterranean, benefiting both regions and promoting economic growth.
Crete’s largest infrastructure project in decades, the new Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli, is nearing its final stages, with test flights scheduled for 2027. This project, which has been closely followed by both local and international stakeholders, marks a transformative moment for the island’s tourism and transportation sectors.
The Heraklion International Airport is being developed by the Heraklion International Airport Company, a joint venture with ownership shared between the Greek State (45.9%), GEK TERNA Group (32.46%), and India’s GMR Group (21.64%). The construction is being carried out by TERNA S.A., with overall progress surpassing 65% as of October 31, 2025. With the project now entering its final phase, the focus is on ensuring the completion of key structural components and making the airport fully operational in time for its test flights.
Located in Kastelli, this new facility is poised to become one of the Mediterranean’s most advanced aviation hubs, significantly increasing Crete’s capacity to handle both domestic and international flights. The new airport is designed to meet the growing demands of Crete’s booming tourism sector, offering state-of-the-art facilities, advanced infrastructure, and modern passenger services to cater to both increasing visitor numbers and the region’s expanding transportation needs.
Spanning an impressive 6,030 stremmas, the new Heraklion International Airport will feature a 3,200-meter-long ICAO 4E runway, capable of accommodating large aircraft, along with a full-length parallel taxiway, several connecting taxiways, and dedicated parking areas for both larger planes and smaller aircraft. The airport’s design also includes provisions for general aviation and helicopter services, ensuring that a wide variety of aircraft types can be serviced on-site.
Progress on construction is advancing steadily, with several critical components already in place. The runway is 96% complete, with paving nearly finished. The seven-story terminal, which covers an area of 93,000 square meters, is about 60% complete. The terminal will house all of the airport’s modern passenger services, including shopping and dining areas, lounges, and advanced air traffic control systems. The control tower, which rises to a height of 44 meters, is also nearing completion.
The terminal itself is designed to meet the high standards required for modern international airports. It will include a wide range of amenities and services to ensure a comfortable experience for travelers, such as duty-free shops, restaurants, and areas for relaxation. Moreover, the airport will feature advanced air-traffic management systems, designed to handle high volumes of air traffic and ensure smooth operations for incoming and outgoing flights.
One of the key components of the new airport is its extensive road connectivity. The construction team has been working hard to ensure that the airport is easily accessible from all areas of the island. The new road link to Crete’s Northern Highway (BOAK) is now 85% complete, with a 3-km tunnel section recently approved for construction. Other major roadworks include an 18-km closed motorway leading to Hersonissos, a 6-km road linking Arkalochori to Viannos, and a 1.5-km ring road designed to improve access to Kastelli. Additionally, 20 kilometers of existing routes are being upgraded to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic once the airport is fully operational. A dual tunnel at Petrianos Lakkos, expected to be finished soon, will further enhance connectivity.
The airport will also include a range of specialized operational facilities designed to support its day-to-day activities. These will include a fire station, police units, maintenance hubs, power systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and an underground fueling network. Such infrastructure is critical for ensuring the smooth functioning of the airport while maintaining high safety and environmental standards. Additionally, a dedicated 400-stremma commercial zone is being developed to support economic activity in the region. This commercial area is expected to stimulate growth in the surrounding areas, attracting both tourists and businesses.
Parking infrastructure at the airport will be extensive, providing space for 1,378 cars, 206 motorcycles, 168 taxis, and 96 buses, ensuring convenient access for passengers and visitors. These facilities will cater to the expected high traffic volumes during peak tourist seasons, ensuring that transportation to and from the airport runs smoothly.
The overall cost of the airport project is €625 million, which includes the initial €520 million contract, along with an additional €105 million in extensions. This investment underscores the importance of the project to Crete’s economy and its future as a major Mediterranean tourism destination. Once completed, the airport will become a key gateway for international visitors, providing easy access to Crete and the broader Southeast Mediterranean region.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, Crete stands to gain enormously from the new Heraklion International Airport. The island’s tourism sector, which has been growing steadily for years, will receive a significant boost with the new airport, providing enhanced connectivity, better facilities, and the capacity to handle more international flights. In addition, the airport’s commercial zone is expected to create new business opportunities, further benefiting the local economy.
Heraklion International Airport in Crete will enhance tourism and transport by launching direct flights to India by 2027, boosting cultural exchanges and economic growth between the two regions.
Overall, the Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli will play a vital role in shaping the future of Crete’s tourism and transportation landscape. It will not only elevate the island’s position as a top Mediterranean destination but also foster greater economic growth, increased tourism, and improved regional connectivity. The completion of this project represents a monumental achievement for Crete, setting the stage for an exciting future in both tourism and infrastructure development.
