Heraklion airport posts two records in early August, tracks toward 10 million-plus passengers in 2026
Heraklion’s “Nikos Kazantzakis” International Airport recorded two consecutive all-time highs in early August 2026, with 68,818 passengers passing through on August 1 — the highest single-day figure ever recorded — followed a day later by a record 406 aircraft arrivals and departures, according to airport director Iakovos Ouranos.
Ouranos said the two records reflect the intensity of this year’s traffic. Through August 23, total passenger traffic at the airport had reached 6.81 million, up 4.6% year on year, while international arrivals rose 5.1% to 2.88 million.
In August alone, through the 23rd of the month, passenger numbers reached 1.38 million, an increase of 3.1%, with flights up by the same margin to 8,413. Domestic arrivals rose 4.9% to 72,790, while international arrivals for the month climbed 3.6% to 615,656.
“When we talk about these percentages in August, you understand they translate into very large absolute numbers,” Ouranos said, adding that the figures point to a new passenger record for 2026. The airport surpassed 10 million passengers for the first time in its history in 2025, reaching 10,033,151, and this year’s trajectory suggests that mark could be exceeded.
Growth continues despite regional tensions
“In practice, our momentum remained strong. Despite the war in Iran, which began in late February, our numbers are up even compared with 2025 — a landmark year for our airport, since it surpassed 10 million passengers for the first time. This year, everything points to an even higher total,” Ouranos said.
The airport’s performance carries added weight because it continues to operate with significant infrastructure constraints despite the surge in traffic. “As a mainly seasonal airport, the pressure grows alongside passenger volume. Our infrastructure and staff are tested hard, especially during the summer months, when the airport operates at its limits. Despite these difficulties, the airport continues to fulfil its mission, supporting tourism and the local economy,” Ouranos said, noting that projections for September and October — traditionally strong months — remain positive, with traffic expected to continue through mid-November.
The airport is working closely with Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) to plan and carry out improvements to its existing facilities as it continues to absorb rising traffic ahead of the planned opening of the new international airport at Kastelli, Ouranos said.
Germany leads arrivals, Cyprus posts sharp gains
Among international arrivals, Germany ranked first with 780,809 passengers, followed by the United Kingdom (483,998) and France (310,171). Poland (169,434), the Netherlands (149,953), Israel (137,792) and Italy (131,912) rounded out the top seven, which Ouranos said has remained stable in recent years.
The most notable increase came from Israel, up more than 20% despite the absence of flights in the early months of the season because of the war. Cyprus recorded a 172% jump, to 16,933 arrivals from 6,223, while Turkey rose 72%, to 14,256 from 8,272 — a change Ouranos attributed largely to winter-season flights. Lithuania climbed 42%, to 39,465 from 27,807, and Austria rose 12.6%, to 89,237 from 79,221. By contrast, arrivals from Serbia fell 50%, to 6,961 from 13,965, and from Belgium fell 14%, to 77,745 from 90,564.
Early signs of the growth had already appeared over the winter, according to Ouranos. “This year started with very good signs. Winter international flights raised traffic significantly compared with the same low-season periods in previous years. In addition, slot requests and information from airlines for the summer period were more than encouraging,” he told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA). He also pointed to the expansion of domestic connections, with direct flights added to Corfu, Naxos, Santorini, Paros, Syros, Kalamata, Mytilene, Kos, Mykonos and Volos alongside established links to Athens, Thessaloniki and Rhodes.
The rise in passenger traffic comes as tourism activity across the region continues to grow; accommodation revenue in Heraklion has also risen this year, according to separate ELSTAT data, while Crete has led Greece’s regions in international air arrivals for the first seven months of 2026, INSETE figures show.
