Crete’s Heraklion Airport Marks 3.5% Increase in 2022 Over 2019

Heralkion International Airport.

Heraklion Airport exceeded pre-Covid 2019 passenger levels by 3.5 percent in 2022 with Chania Airport not far behind reflecting a strong demand for Crete.

According to data, Heraklion Airport welcomed 6.8 million international travelers and 1.2 million domestic travelers fast approaching 2018 levels, a record year for Crete.

Chania Airport meanwhile, handled 2.5 million international passengers breaking a six-year record according to data released by airport operator Fraport Greece.

More specifically, Chania Airport welcomed 3.2 million passengers in 2022: 2.6 million on international flights and 678,845 on domestic flights. A total of 23,273 flights landed in Chania in 2022. In 2021, 1.7 million passengers went through the airport, 703,482 in 2020, 2.9 million in 2019 and 3 million in 2018.

Chania Airport.

In an interview to ANA-MPA (Athens News Agency – Macedonian Press Agency), Heraklion Airport Manager George Pliakas said recovery was ahead of initial estimates which placed improved figures in 2024-2025. He went on to add that he expect incoming tourist traffic to maintain the dynamic in the coming years.

“I expect the figures will be at around 3.5 million international passengers and 600-700 thousand domestic arrivals,” he said, adding that for 2023 all slots have been allocated.

A closer look at Heraklion Airport data reveals that August was the month of peak activity with 1.4 million arrivals and departures, followed by July (1.3 million), June (1.04 million) and September (1.1 million).

Pliakas concluded that the increases indicate a robust demand for Crete, which he said is among the Top 5 most recognizable Greek destinations. “This means that the island will always be among those destinations with the strong tourist flows.”