From Tents to International Hub: The Evolution of Crete's Primary Gateway
In short: Before it became Greece's second-busiest airport, Heraklion International was little more than a flat field. Its humble beginnings featured nothing but three tents, storm lamps for lighting, and smoke to gauge the wind. Today, it serves as the primary gateway to Crete, though its days are numbered.
Heraklion International Airport, named after the philosopher and writer Nikos Kazantzakis, began its life in March 1939 as a simple agricultural site. The first passengers arrived via a Junkers Ju 52 aircraft. However, the site's development was interrupted by the Second World War, specifically the 1941 Battle of Heraklion. Civilian operations did not resume until the autumn of 1946, when the airport began handling DC-3 aircraft.
The post-war era saw rapid modernization. In 1947, the first small terminal was built, followed by the introduction of commercial flights by Hellenic Airlines in 1948. By 1953, the airport gained a 1,850-meter paved runway, and by 1954, it was capable of handling four-engined DC-4 aircraft. A major transformation occurred between 1968 and 1971, when the runway was extended to 2,680 meters and a new terminal was constructed. This expansion paved the way for international charter flights, which officially began in March 1971, followed by the airport's formal inauguration in May 1972.
Despite its status as a vital hub for resorts like Hersonissos and Elounda, the facility faces significant limitations. It remains a shared civil and military site, and its operations have occasionally been disrupted by external events, such as a 2025 occupation by farmers protesting European Union subsidy delays. Because of these constraints, a new facility is currently under construction at Kasteli, located 39 kilometers southeast of Heraklion. Scheduled to open in 2027, the new airport will replace the current site, marking the end of nearly nine decades of service at the Nikos Kazantzakis location.
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