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Crete's gateway, named for a legendary Greek author.
Opened
1937
Location
Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is the primary airport serving the island of Crete and the largest island airport in Greece. Named after the renowned Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis, best known for writing 'Zorba the Greek,' the airport handles millions of passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in Greece.
The airport is located approximately 5 kilometers east of Heraklion city center, near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It primarily serves as a major leisure and tourism hub, with heavy seasonal traffic during the summer months driven by tourists visiting Crete's beaches and historical sites.
A new international airport, Crete International Airport (Kasteli), is under development to eventually replace Heraklion as the island's primary aviation hub, with completion expected in the mid-2020s.
Terminals
The airport operates a single passenger terminal handling both domestic and international flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include public buses (KTEL), taxis, and rental cars connecting the airport to Heraklion city center and other parts of Crete.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, and numerous European charter airlines serving seasonal routes.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis, writer of 'Zorba the Greek.'
- ›One of the busiest airports in Greece, handling over 8 million passengers in peak years.
- ›Located approximately 5 km east of Heraklion city center near the Aegean Sea coast.
- ›A replacement airport, Kasteli Airport, is under construction to handle future capacity.
- ›The airport's runway is in close proximity to the sea, limiting expansion options.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
