New Crete Airport Faces Further Delay as Test Phase Slips to April 2028

Overview

• Construction stands at 44.5% completion as of September 2025, according to the Greek government.
• The planned opening moved from February 2027 to December 2027, with Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos citing an April 2028 start for trials.
• The Kastelli project is set to replace Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport and is designed for 10 million passengers initially, rising to 18 million.
• Operator plans detail a 94,000-square-meter terminal on eight levels, 19 gates with Schengen and non‑Schengen flexibility, biometric controls, and on‑site energy systems.
• A 2024 Minoan discovery at the site led Culture Minister Lina Mendoni to confirm the radar tower’s shift to an alternative location.