The Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport at Heraklion is to close for a week for essential repairs, namely the replacement of the asphalt on the landing runway. In what is reported as the first closure of the airport in its history, it will be out of action from 19th to 24th February. The closure was confirmed on Friday by the issue of a NOTAM – a Notice to Airmen, or Notice to Air Missions – the official notification of a change of status of local flight facilities or procedures, or the existence of a hazard which many affect flight operations.
As the head of the airport Giorgos Pliakas told the media “It is a period in which we don’t have a lot of movement and the works are necessary to ensure the safety of flights.” Passengers wishing to travel by air will need to use the airports at Chania and Sitia, while others can use the ferry service to and from Piraeus.
Chania airport road restrictions
In the same period, drivers need to be aware of possible delays on the way to Chania airport. As reported by Haniotika Nea, provisional traffic arrangements will be in force on National Road 94, which runs between the roundabout at the Venizelos Tombs and the airport, for the period 29th December 2023 to 12th April 2024. Works are being carried out to bury the medium-tension cable network underground.
According to an announcement by the Chania Police HQ, the traffic arrangements will apply on the section of the National Road from the junction with Platis Street (50 metres east of the Coco-Mat mattress store) eastwards to the western boundary of the community of Aroni. There will be single-lane traffic in alternating directions, controlled by traffic lights.
The Police ask “all drivers intending to travel [on this road] to be particularly careful at the places mentioned, to inform themselves of the prevailing traffic conditions … and to obey the information signs and the signals of the traffic police.”