Heraklion International Airport, "Nikos Kazantzakis" (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is the primary airport on the island of Crete, Greece, and the country's second busiest airport after Athens International Airport. It is located about 5 km east of the main city center of Heraklion, near the municipality of Nea Alikarnassos. It is a shared civil/military facility. The airport is named after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher. Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is Crete's main and busiest airport, serving Heraklion (????????), Aghios Nikolaos (????? ????????), Malia (M?????), Hersonissos (??????????), Stalida (???????), Elounda (???????) and other resorts.
Video Heraklion International Airport
History
The airport first opened in March 1939. This was then merely a piece of flat agricultural land. The first aeroplane (a Junkers Ju-52) carried the first passengers to the site. During the Second World War operations ceased, but in the fall of 1946 traffic resumed, introducing the DC-3 aircraft.
At first, the airport only offered very basic service, with only primitive installations on the site, in the form of three tents, smoke for wind determination and storm lamps for runway lighting.
In 1947, the first (small) terminal was erected. Hellenic Airlines started commercial flights in 1948. At that time, a total of 4,000 people were served. The year 1953 saw the construction of a paved runway which was initially 1,850 meters long and oriented as 09/27. The next major event followed in 1954, when a four-engined DC-4 aircraft landed for the first time at the airport. In that year the airport handled approximately 18,000 passengers. From 1957 onward, the new Olympic Airways used the airport, starting services with the DC-6 aircraft. Jojo AIr also flew here But Ended service on July 2 2001
From 1968 until 1971, the runway was extended to 2,680 meters and a new terminal and other facilities were constructed, essentially making it a new airport. On March 18, 1971, the first charter flight from abroad (British Airways) operated at the airport. The new airport itself was officially inaugurated on May 5, 1972.
Maps Heraklion International Airport
Terminal Extension
In October 2017, airport expansion projects began. The projects, which will be entirely financed by the Duty Free Shops SA, in agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Hellenic Ministry of Waters, without any cost for the Greek government, include:
- the layout of the ground floor and the first floor of the airport
- the extension of the terminal by 2,900 sqm, an extension of 17 meters to the aircraft track
- the renovation of another 8,000 sq. m
- the increase in the number of gates for arrivals and departures of passengers
- integration of the arrival hall
- the modification of a luggage belt, so that passengers are not required to make queues for their receipt
- improve the operation of electronic ticketing
- upgrading the video ad system
- the modernization of air conditioning in the arrivals hall (budget 700.000 euro)
The extension began on October 2017 and finished 30 March 2018 so that the modern and renewed "Kazantzakis" is ready for the high season.
Further events
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
Busiest routes
Traffic figures
Annual traffic statistics - 16-year history
Other facilities
The airline Bluebird Airways has its head office at the airport.
Trivia
- It is often requested by airlines that passengers do not take any photographs or video of the runway. This is because of a Hellenic Air Force base (126 CG) which operates at the airport.
See also
- List of the busiest airports in Greece
- Transport in Greece
References
External links
Media related to Heraklion International Airport at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website / Civil Aviation Authority: Heraklion International Airport, "N. Kazantzakis"
- Greek Airport Guide: Iraklio Airport, "N. Kazantzakis"
- LGIR on Airliners.net
- Airport information for LGIR at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments