Huge new £422million airport set to open on Greek holiday island – becoming one of the country’s biggest
And two other huge airports slated to open in Europe
A HUGE new international airport is currently being built in Crete, Greece – and will become one of the country’s biggest.
When it opens in 2027, Kastelli International Airport will replace the existing Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport in Heraklion.
Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, also known as Heraklion International airport, has been serving passengers since 1937.
However, the long-standing airport can only accommodate around 8million passengers per year, which means a new, larger, airport is needed to cope with increased demand from holidaymakers.
With this in mind, Kastelli International Airport is being built to handle the growing number of tourists who are choosing to holiday in Greece.
When it opens, the new airport will become the second-largest airport in the country, and it will have the ability to handle around 18million passengers per year.
The new airport will be located a 25-minute drive away from Heraklion, which is the largest city on the island.
According to the aviation website, , the new travel hub will feature a huge five-storey passenger terminal building.
Aircraft like B747 and A330 will be able to land on its long 3.2km (1.9miles) runway.
New roads are also being built around the airport, providing better transport links across the island to destinations like the Valley of Messara, Kaloi Limenes and Tympaki.
Other specific details about the project, including any airport features and flight routes, have yet to be revealed.
Construction work on the airport reportedly began in February 2020.
However, the work met several roadblocks along the way, including the discovery of 35 archaeological sites, as reported by .
Last week, the ruins of a round stone building were unearthed at the airport’s construction site.
Greek Culture Minister and archaeologist, Lina Mendoni, promised to preserve the ancient structure while continuing with the construction of the airport.
In a statement, she said: “We all understand the value and importance of cultural heritage … as well as the growth potential [of the new airport].
“It’s possible to go ahead with the airport while granting the antiquities the protection they merit.”
It is thought that Kastelli International Airport will cost €500million (£422million) to build.
The airport is expected to generate 7,500 jobs in the area as well as a further 37,000 indirect jobs.
Kastelli International Airport is slated to be the only airport to be built in the SouthEastern Mediterranean region for the next twenty years.
And Greece isn’t the only country in Europe that’s set to get a brand-new airport in the coming years.
Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
Poland’s new mega travel hub is expected to rival the likes of Heathrow and Dubai thanks to its proposed long-haul flights.
The new airport aims to enable passengers from Central and Eastern European countries to fly almost anywhere in the world – without having to travel to hubs in Western Europe first.
Plans are well underway to build Warsaw Solidarity Airport because Warsaw Chopin Airport (the city’s main airport) is nearing capacity.
While Poland plans to build on its overall passenger growth, the new centre will also help the country’s flag carrier (LOT Polish Airlines) to increase its passenger numbers too.
Salerno Airport, Italy
Pontecagnano (Salerno) Airport is currently undergoing a huge £400million renovation.
A longer runway will be built as part of the expansion, as well as five new boarding gates.
More than €250million (£214million) has been spent on the development of the commercial structures inside the airport.
The incredible designs behind the world's biggest airport
Earlier this year, plans behind the world's biggest airport were revealed - with flights set to take off by 2030.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will have a massive six runways and is expected to see 120million passengers each year.
The huge new travel hub will be spread across 57 square kilometres (22 square miles), with 12 square kilometres dedicated to recreational facilities and a retail space.
You an read more about the huge new airport, here.
Other developments are also underway in the local area, including a new metro, with five new stops, which will flank the Salerno Battipaglia railway line.
EasyJet will become the first-ever UK airline to operate flights between London and Salerno.
