What the New Kastelli Airport Will — and Won’t — Change for South Crete Holidays
With the opening of the new Kastelli (also written Kasteli) International Airport planned for 2027, many travellers are asking the same question: What will this actually change for South Crete?
The short answer is: quite a lot — but not everything.
As a locally based hospitality company working year-round in South Crete, we believe it’s important to separate expectations from reality. The new airport will improve how people arrive on the island — but it won’t suddenly turn South Crete into a different place. And that’s exactly why it remains such a special destination.
What the Kastelli Airport Is Really About
The new airport near Kastelli is being built to replace the current Heraklion airport, which has long been operating beyond capacity. Its primary goals are:
Increased passenger capacity
Improved flight connections and schedules
A more modern, efficient arrival experience
In other words, this project is about comfort, connectivity, and resilience, not about moving Crete’s geography.
Will Driving Times to South Crete Be Shorter?
This is the most common assumption — and also the one that needs the most nuance.
At present, there is no confirmed evidence that driving times to South Crete will be significantly shorter once the new airport opens. The airport will still be located on the north-central part of the island, and routes to the south coast will continue to cross mountainous terrain.
Unless major new road infrastructure is introduced specifically to improve north–south access — which has not been officially confirmed — travel times are likely to remain broadly similar to today.
What will change, however, is how the journey feels.
A Smoother Start (and End) to the Journey
Even if the drive itself remains similar, the overall travel experience is expected to improve:
Less congestion at the airport
More reliable flight schedules
Fewer delays during peak season
Better coordination for arrivals and departures
For guests travelling to South Crete, this means arriving calmer, less rushed, and with more flexibility — an important factor, especially for families, multi-generational groups, and travellers booking private villas.
What This Means for South Crete as a Destination
South Crete’s appeal has never been about speed or convenience alone. Its defining qualities are:
Space and low density
Dramatic landscapes shaped by mountains and gorges
A slower rhythm of life
A preference for villas and small-scale stays over large resorts
The new airport will make Crete more accessible overall, but South Crete’s character is unlikely to change. Geography, limited large-scale development, and a strong local identity naturally protect it from mass tourism.
For many travellers, this balance — improved access without overdevelopment — is precisely what makes the region so attractive.
What This Means for Villa Holidays
From a guest perspective, the most meaningful changes are likely to be:
Better international flight availability
Easier shoulder-season travel in spring and autumn, and probably better connections in winter
More confidence booking longer or more complex trips
Improved logistics for group arrivals
What won’t change is the nature of the stay itself: privacy, views, silence, and space will remain central to the South Crete experience.
Celebrations, Events, and Gatherings
South Crete is increasingly chosen for intimate weddings, milestone birthdays, and private celebrations precisely because it offers seclusion and dramatic settings.
Improved air connectivity may make it easier for guests to coordinate arrivals from different countries, but the value lies elsewhere: once everyone arrives, they step into a setting that feels removed from crowds, noise, and rigid schedules.
That contrast — easier access followed by complete calm — is part of South Crete’s quiet luxury.
A Better Gateway, the Same Destination
When Kastelli (Kasteli) Airport opens in 2027, South Crete won’t become closer in kilometres — but it will feel more accessible in practice. The journey may not be shorter, but it should be smoother, more predictable, and less stressful.
And once guests arrive, they will still find the same South Crete they came for: rugged landscapes, open horizons, private villas, and a pace of life that invites them to slow down. The area will remain a hidden gem.
Sometimes progress doesn’t mean changing the destination — it simply means making it easier to reach.
To explore our handpicked villas and check availability on our booking platform visit stayscrete.com.
