Nikos Kazantzakis Airport sets new passenger and flight records

Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis Airport has set new operational records during the month of August. On August 1, 2026, the airport handled 68,818 passengers in a single day, marking its highest daily passenger volume to date. This was followed on August 2 by a record in aircraft movements, with 406 arrivals and departures.

According to airport director Iakovos Ouranos, total passenger traffic reached 6.81 million by August 23, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. International arrivals accounted for 2.88 million passengers, up 5.1%. For the month of August specifically, passenger numbers rose by 3.1% to 1.38 million, while total flights increased by 3.1% to 8,413.

These figures suggest that 2026 may surpass the historic milestone set in 2025, when the airport first exceeded 10 million annual passengers. Despite geopolitical tensions in the region, the airport continues to show strong growth despite infrastructure constraints and seasonal demand pressures.