Greece to establish research sandbox at Kastelli Airport

The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the New International Airport of Heraklion Crete (DAIK) have signed a memorandum of cooperation to transform the new Kastelli Airport into a research and technology testing field.

The initiative aims to create a multi-sectoral regulatory sandbox, providing an organized environment where new technologies can be tested under real-world conditions. The project will focus on cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, data management, energy, aviation, and environmental technologies.

The three-year agreement seeks to bridge the gap between the academic community and entrepreneurship by allowing researchers, startups, and tech innovators to utilize real operational data from the airport. Officials stated that the project is intended to strengthen Crete’s research ecosystem and position the island as a hub for innovation, potentially serving as a technological bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.