In fact, Heraklion Airport is named after Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek philosopher and writer, a local native. But since the hub serves almost all the resort towns of the island, it is called by the nearby city. And even sometimes like this: “Crete-Heraklion Airport”. This is the second hub for passenger traffic in Greece (after the "Eleftherios Venizelos" in Athens). It accepts both international and domestic flights. During the summer months , airport work is particularly stressful due to the many charters. This circumstance, aggravated by the inborn leisurelyness of the Greeks, must be taken into account when arriving at the landing. What other surprises await us in the hub named after Nikos Kazantzakis? Let's consider.
What flies to Crete
The hub serves as a home port for Bluebird Airways. Olympic Athens and Aegean fly here from Athens. For lovers of low-cost, it will be interesting to know that Crete-Heraklion Airport accepts planes from EasyJet, Wizzair and Germanwings. But Ryanair - another low-cost carrier - does not operate flights to this hub. From Russia to Crete, non-stop flights can be reached by Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Transaero, Ural Airlines.
History
The airport in Heraklion was built in 1939 in the middle of arable land. At first, he received Junkers Ju 52 passenger planes from the capital. After World War II, air traffic between the island and Athens resumed. The first terminal appeared in 1947. At first, the airport served only four thousand passengers a year. At the end of the 60s, the 1850-meter runway was supplemented with a longer one (two and a half kilometers), which made it possible to accept heavier aircraft. At the same time, the terminal was rebuilt according to the requirements for international airports. The first overseas flight was accepted in March 1971 (British Airways aircraft). The current view of Heraklion Airport, the photo of which you see, was acquired in May 1972. But the city almost came very close to the once deserted fields. The noise of the airport worries the residents of Heraklion, so at this time a new hub is being built in the town of Kasteli, deep in the island. They plan to finish it by the summer season of 2015. After that, the old Heraklion airport will be closed.
Where is located
The second largest hub of Greece is located in the village of Nea Alikanasos. In fact, this is the eastern suburbs of Heraklion. From the air gates of Crete to the city center - only four kilometers. Heraklion Airport also serves other resorts of the island: Elounda, Stalis, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos. To the south of the hub there is a traffic intersection leading to the E75 federal highway. This motorway connects all the coastal cities of Crete. To Chania from the airport. Nikos Kazantzakis about 140 km. Approximately seventy kilometers separate the hub from Agios Nikolaos and Rethymnon.
How to get there
Heraklion is an airport located almost within the city, but on foot, and even with luggage, it will be far away. A city bus number 78 leaves from the terminal building. It runs from early morning until late at night with an interval of only a few minutes. Bus runs less frequently on Sundays. A ticket costs 0.75 euros and is purchased from the driver. The journey time to the center of Heraklion takes about twenty minutes, as the bus makes many stops. Car rental offices are located directly at the exit of the arrivals hall. However, it should be borne in mind that in the tourist season the selection of economy-class cars is small. The most comfortable way to get to the place of rest is a taxi. The parking of this type of transport is located directly in front of the terminal. Payment - on the counter. Shuttle buses go to Heraklion Airport from the resort towns of Crete, which provide group transfer of passengers. But, according to reviews of tourists, this type of transport takes two to three hours from lying on the beach. Buses call for passengers at numerous hotels. Such a trip should be planned taking into account this time, so as not to be late for the flight.
Infrastructure
Heraklion Airport meets all the standards of an international European hub. True, he has only one passenger terminal. But maybe this is for the better. As practice shows, people tend to get lost if there are more than one building for boarding a flight. In the departure lounge there is a comfortable waiting room, cafe, bar, restaurant, room for children’s games, Wi-Fi. In the arrivals hall you will find round-the-clock currency exchange points and ATMs. As befits an airport of this rank, there is a post office, a left-luggage office, an office for found things and a first-aid post. Hub staff will facilitate the movement of people with disabilities. Basically, check-in, passport, customs and security controls are organized and fast. However, in the summer, due to the large number of charter flights, queues are possible.
Heraklion Airport: duty free
Of course, a duty-free shop is present, otherwise the hub would not have been given international status. Duty free is located on the second floor, as usual, behind the guards. In addition to the usual duty-free products, such as inflatable pillows, sweets and cosmetics with perfumes, the local duty-free shop has its own specifics. It consists in a large and good selection of Cretan wines, honey, olive oil, Greek distillates. There are plenty of various magnets here too. So if you forgot to get a memo about the island in the market or in souvenir shops, you can do this immediately before departure. Except that the prices ... Ouzo, metaxa, Retsin and other alcohol are a little more expensive than everywhere on the island. Honey, spices, oil - at the same prices. But all sorts of little things, clothes and perfumes are very expensive.