History

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HISTORY

Heraklion State Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (abbreviations: IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR, CAA: ΚΑΗΚ)

It is the second most important Greek airport. It is named after the author Nikos Kazantzakis, who is recognized as one of the most important contemporary Greek writers and one of the most translated globally. From 1945 to 1948, he was the president of the Society of Greek Writers. Heraklion State airport “N. Kazantzakis” operates daily, all year round on a 24-hour basis. It is 2 km away from the city centre, in the area of Nea Alikarnassos. The management and operation entity of the State Airport is the Civil Aviation Service.

HISTORY

Development

  • 1939: First passenger landing on runway 13-31,
  • 1947: First airport passenger terminal
  • 1953: Completion of second runway 09/27
  • 1972: Completion and inauguration of new terminal 7.370 m² (21-05-1972),
  • 1996: Completion of terminal expansion by 11,700 m²,
  • 1997: Delivery of new departure hall for international flights of 5.000 m²,
  • 2005: Completion of terminal expansion by 18.985 m².
  • April 2018: Completion of terminal expansion by 3.000 m² and complete renovation of the 8000sq.m. facilities of the terminal. The works were fully funded by the Duty Free Shops, completed in just 9 months and contributed to the increase of the number of gates for the arrivals and departures of passengers.