Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis", International airport in Nea Alikarnassos, Greece
Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is an aviation facility in Nea Alikarnassos serving the region of Crete. The site operates with one runway and handles connections to destinations across Europe and within the country.
The facility opened in March 1939 on farmland when a Junkers Ju 52 became the first aircraft to land. Over the following decades the site was expanded and modernized several times to meet growing passenger demand.
The terminal honors a writer born in Heraklion whose novels reached readers around the world. You will notice design elements reflecting Cretan character, and during summer months the building fills with travelers arriving from many countries to visit the island.
The terminal sits roughly four kilometers from the center of Heraklion and can be reached by regular bus service. Inside the building you will find currency exchange counters, shops and restaurants offering basic services for travelers.
A replacement facility is currently under construction near Kastelli and will handle up to ten million passengers annually after completion. This shift will fundamentally change how air traffic serves Crete and will eventually replace operations at the current location in Nea Alikarnassos.
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