New Heraklion Airport on the way to completion

The new Heraklion International Airport which is being built at Kastelli, 45 km south-east of the city of Heraklion, is a project which promises to radically change the map of air transportation in Crete and to become one of the most modern airports in the Mediterranean.

Details of the project’s current progress were recently announced by the CEO of the construction company TERNA, Christos Panagiotopoulos, and its vice president Vangelis Masouras. The first trial flights are scheduled for 2027, signalling the beginning of the final straight leading to its commercial operation.

The works
Construction works are at an exceptionally advanced stage, the two executives said. Progress on the project up to the 31st of October 2025 was in excess of 65%, with the main constructional phases approaching completion. The airport, which will extend to 6,030 stremmata (603 hectares), is now taking definitive shape, as the main structures of the control tower, the air terminal and the majority of other buildings have been completed. Laying of the special surfacing for the runways and the aircraft parking area is 96% complete, and the 7-level terminal with a total area of 93,000 sq m as well as the 44-metre high control tower are 60% completed.

The airport runways under construction
An early photo showing the layout of the runway and taxiways of the new airport. The runway of the adjacent military airfield, to which it is linked by two perpendicular taxiways, can be seen in the background on the right. Photo: TERNA.

Infrastructure
At the same time the new road connection with the VOAK is nearly 85% complete, with the exception of the section where it had been decided to construct a 3 km long tunnel following the discovery of a major archaeological site in June 2024.

The 3,200 m runway is category ICAO 4 E, capable of receiving the largest aircraft. At the same time a parallel taxiway of the same length has been planned and a multitude of connecting taxiways which will ensure maximum operability. The aircraft parking area will be able to accommodate category E aircraft* as well as smaller ones, offering substantial flexibility, while spaces have been allotted for general aviation and helicopters.

The air terminal under construction
The terminal building under construction in July 2025. Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The 93,000 sq m terminal building will form the heart of the airport, with modern facilities for the service of passengers and 14,000 sq m of commercial space, while the control tower will house the most modern air traffic control systems.

Also, parking spaces have been allotted for 1,378 cars, 206 motorcycles, 168 taxis and 96 buses, and there will be an extended commercial zone of 400 stremmata which is expected to give a boost to development in the area.
(Haniotika Nea, 20/11/25)
A promotional video showing the construction work in progress, including the laying of the runway, can been seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd-Pm_VhV28&t=133s

*The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) classifies aircraft by their indicated airspeed at runway threshold, also known as approach speed or VREF. Category E aircraft are the heaviest, with an approach speed of between 307 and 391 km/h. (Wikipedia).