Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is the primary gateway to Crete and the second busiest airport in Greece. The current terminal, while functional, faces challenges during peak tourist seasons.

Terminal Layout

The airport operates with a single-level passenger terminal divided into several sections:

• Eastern part: Domestic Arrivals Hall
• Central area: Domestic Departures Hall
• Western section: Extra Schengen and Intra Schengen Departures Halls

There are three main passenger halls:

• Intra Schengen Departures
• Extra Schengen Departures
• Domestic services

Facilities and Services

Shopping and Dining

Duty Free Shops

• 2100 sqm area with perfumes, toys, sweets, spirits, jewelry, and accessories
• Available for passengers in and out of the Schengen area, before passport control
• Online ordering option available
• Last Minute Duty Free area for non-Schengen passengers
• Contact: Tel: 2810-300170, Fax: 2810-244808
• Cosmetics Store: Tel: 2810-2470512

Food and Beverage

• One restaurant: Tel: 2810-333485, 397257
• Four EVEREST beverage shops/canteens: Tel: 2810-397243, 397246, 397247, 397255
• One FLOCAFE beverage shop/canteen: Tel: 2810-397243
• Ice-cream shop AIR ROLOI: Tel: 2810-424234

Baggage Services

Storage and Handling

• Baggage Storage: Email: herluggagestorage@gmail.com, Tel: 2810 397349 & 2810 336693
• Baggage wrapping: Departures building ground floor, Tel: +30 2810-223218
• Lost and Found:
  • Goldair Handling: Email: ll@goldair-handling.gr, Tel: 2810-397345
  • Skyserv: Email: herpax@skyserv.aero, Tel: 2810-397384
  • Swissport: Tel: 2810-397384
  • Online baggage claim submission available

Special Services

• VIP Lounge: 24-hour operation, Tel: 2810-397112
• CIP Lounges: GOLDAIR and SWISSPORT
• Baby Room: Ground floor of new departures and arrivals hall
• Airport Health Check Station: 24-hour operation, Tel: +30 2810 397280, +30 2810 397721

Assistance for Travelers with Special Needs

Contact your airline or ground handling companies:

• Goldair Handling: Tel: 2810-397342, 397471, Secretariat: 2810-224268
• Skyserv: Tel: 2810-397211, 397214, Secretariat: 2810-337211
• Swissport: Tel: 2810-397393, Secretariat: 2810-397474, Fax: 2810-347389

Financial Services

Tax Refund

• Customs office in departures’ free access area for VAT refund form stamping
• Tax Refund provided at Global Blue offices within Duty Free Shops

Banking and Currency Exchange

• ATMs available at departures level
• Currency Exchange at departures (before and after passport control) and arrivals (after baggage collection)
• Acropol Exchange office: Tel: +30 2810 242091

Other Amenities

• Free WiFi in dining areas and Duty Free Shops
• Information desk: Open 24/7, Tel: +30 2810 397129
• Gift shop: Tel: 2810-243974
• Local Cretan products from agricultural cooperatives
• Eleftheroudakis Bookshop
• Post Office

Airlines

• Olympic Air: Tel: +30 2810 337203
• Aegean Airlines: Tel: +30 2810 330475

Note: Some services may have limited hours or availability. It’s recommended to check with the airport or service providers for the most up-to-date information.

Other services

- Currency Exchange
- Left luggage
- Luggage wrapping
- Toilets
- Smoking allowed areas
- Wheel-chair renting service
- Meeting points
- Post office
- First aid station
- Pharmacy
- Lost & found
- Travel agencies
- Duty-free shops
- Baggage storage
- Telephones
- Kiosk

Traveler Reviews

Travelers have reported that the airport can be very crowded, especially in the summer.
Some reviews mention issues with cleanliness and maintenance of the facilities.
It is recommended to arrive with plenty of time due to possible waits at restaurants and security checkpoints

Lounges

Two lounges are available for passengers seeking a more comfortable waiting experience:

1. Filoxenia Lounge
• Open: 07:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Services: Snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, newspapers, magazines, TV, telephones
• Non-smoking facility
2. Goldair Handling Lounge
• Open: 07:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Services: Snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, TV
• Non-smoking facility

Accessibility

The terminal is equipped with lifts, escalators, and accessible facilities to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility.

Congestion and Future Plans

During peak summer months, the airport experiences significant congestion, often resulting in queues extending outside the terminal building. To address this issue, a new airport project is underway.

New Heraklion Airport Kasteli

Construction of the new Heraklion Airport Kasteli began in 2019. Located 40 km from Heraklion, it will replace the existing airport upon completion. Key features of the new airport include:

• 5 levels in the terminal building
• Total surface area of 72,000 square meters
• Designed to handle increased passenger capacity
• Modern facilities to enhance traveler experience

The new airport aims to alleviate the current congestion issues and provide a more efficient and comfortable travel experience for visitors to Crete.

Heraklion Airport Information and Statistics

Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is the second busiest airport in Greece, serving as the main gateway to the island of Crete. Named after the renowned Greek writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis, the airport is located 5 km east of Heraklion city center, near the municipality of Nea Alikarnassos.

Key facts about Heraklion Airport:

• Opened: March 1939
• Annual passenger traffic: 8.1 million passengers in 2022
• Runway: One, 2,680 meters long
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Airlines served: Over 40

The airport serves Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Malia, Hersonissos, Stalida, Elounda, and other popular tourist destinations in Crete. It offers both domestic flights within Greece and international flights to major European cities, with many seasonal routes operating during the peak summer months.

Despite its high passenger volume, Heraklion Airport has limited facilities. During busy periods, especially in summer, passengers may experience congestion and queues extending outside the terminal building.

Future plans:

A new airport is under construction at Kastelli, about 40 km from Heraklion. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of 1.5 billion euros, aims to replace the current Heraklion Airport. Key points about the new airport:

• Expected opening: By the beginning of the 2025 tourist season
• Projected capacity: 5 to 10 million passengers per year
• Funding: Concession basis for 35 years
• Impact: Will cease operations at the current "Nikos Kazantzakis" airport upon inauguration

The new airport project also includes the development of new road infrastructure to connect it with the northern coast highway near Hersonissos.

It’s worth noting that the airport is sometimes referred to by various names, including Iraklio, Heraclion, and Iraklion, reflecting different transliterations of the Greek name

History

The Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" has a rich history dating back to the late 1930s. Here’s a brief overview of its origins and key historical events:

Early Beginnings

In 1937, construction began on a small airfield about 10 km east of the ancient Knossos palace. The site, initially flat agricultural land, saw its first aircraft landing in the summer of 1939 when a Junkers Ju-52 with a capacity of 14 passengers touched down.

World War II and Resumption

Air traffic was suspended during World War II but resumed in autumn 1946 with the introduction of Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The initial facilities were rudimentary, consisting of three tents serving as administration, airline offices, and a passenger hall.

Gradual Development

• 1947: First permanent building constructed
• 1948: "Hellas" airline inaugurated flights, serving 4,000 passengers
• 1953: Runway 09-27 built, initially 1,850 meters long
• 1954: First four-engine aircraft (DC-4) landed, boosting annual passenger numbers to 18,000
• 1957: Olympic Airways began using DC-6 aircraft, increasing capacity and frequency of Athens-Heraklion route

Modern Era

The airport underwent significant expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s:

• 1968-1971: Runway extended to 2,680 meters
• 1971: New terminal buildings opened
• 1972: Official inauguration of the new airport complex

Since then, the airport has seen continuous improvements:

• 1988-1997: Multiple expansions of departure and arrival lounges
• 2005: Major extension adding nearly 19,000 square meters

Looking Ahead

As of 2025, Heraklion Airport handles over 8 million passengers annually, making it Greece’s second busiest airport. Plans are underway for a new, larger airport at Kastelli to accommodate growing traffic and modernize facilities.

Heraklion Airport Traffic Statistics: 2010-2024

Year	Aircraft Movements	Passengers	Change (%)
2010	42,396	4,907,337	-2.9
2011	44,520	5,292,687	+7.9
2012	40,856	5,076,329	-4.6
2013	43,544	5,792,429	+14.7
2014	43,637	6,024,958	+5.2
2015	43,970	6,057,355	+0.5
2016	47,804	6,742,746	+11.3
2017	51,114	7,336,783	+8.8
2018	55,680	8,098,465	+10.4
2019	52,294	7,933,558	-2.0
2020	20,876	2,398,264	-69.8
2021	38,628	5,046,236	+112.2
2022	55,549	8,099,255	+60.5
2023	57,473	8,723,031	+7.7
2024	62,723	9,384,233	+7.6

Most popular destinations from Heraklion

Most popular flights served by Heraklion

Origin	Weekly Flights	Percentage
Atenas	68	56.20%
Thessaloniki	17	14.05%
Munich	16	13.22%
Rodas	8	6.61%
Berlín	6	4.96%
Ámsterdam	2	1.65%
París	2	1.65%

Heraklion Airport Location map

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