Key Infrastructure Projects on Crete to Facilitate Tourism

Greek Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Staikouras (right) with local stakeholders. Photo source: Transport and Infrastructure Ministry

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Staikouras is visiting Crete this week to inspect the progress of key infrastructure projects expected to facilitate tourism to the island in the coming years.

Budgeted at 3.5 billion euros, tourism projects under the Crete Development Plan 2030 include the completion of the north road axis and peripheral roadway networks, the upgrade of the island’s ports and marinas, water and sanitation works, and increasing connectivity via air and sea – all directly linked with tourism.

“We are on Crete today to examine the progress of flagship projects budgeted at over 3.5 billion euros,” said Staikouras after a meeting with local officials and stakeholders. “We are working systematically with a plan, collectively and coherently for the implementation of projects that Crete has needed for decades,” he added.

Projects underway and of major importance for the country’s largest island, include the completion of sections along its 200+ kilometer north road axis (known as BOAK), the creation of a new cruise terminal in Souda, Chania; the completion of the highly anticipated Kastelli Airport; and the continued operation of the current airport in Heraklion.

Impression of the new International Airport of Heraklion in Kasteli area, Crete. Photo source: www.heraklion-airport.gr

Budgeted at 13 million euros, the new terminal in Souda has been listed as a fast-track project and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, said Staikouras, adding that the aim is to ensure the smooth operation of all port activities and to facilitate home porting for cruise ships.

At the same time, to meet the growing tourist demand, the government will be allocating 500 million euros for the construction of the Kastelli Airport, set  to handle some 15 million passengers a year and create hundreds of jobs. So far 31 percent of the total project has been complete, said Staikouras, adding that it was a complex and landmark work.

Lastly, with regard to the current Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion, the minister said that construction firm Terna had agreed to carry out upgrade works. The airport handled more than 9 million passengers in 2023. It should be noted that according to a Tourix survey, Heraklion Airport was also among the worst airports in Greece last year, scoring the lowest overall score. The study found that it was considered too small for the passenger volumes it serves.