HERAKLION AIRPORT
"NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS"
The "N. Kazantzakis" airport has finally changed its appearance and undergone a radical transformation, responding much more to its character as the main gateway to eastern Crete. It is now a much more functional airport, larger internally by 3,000 sq m. and with more gates compared to the past. A more aesthetically beautiful airport, with renovated internal facilities, new halls, renovated commercial areas and new shops.
The project concerns the complete renovation of the airport building, with new, beautiful shops, duty-free and others, catering outlets and new VIP, CIP lounges, etc. The "N. Kazantzakis" Airport has been completely renovated.
A new departures area of 3,000 sq m was created and at the same time the remaining 8,000 sq m of the old area was renovated, with the creation of 11 exits with separate elevators (9 exits on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor). In addition, two lounges were created in the extra Schengen area and two in the intra Schengen area. At the same time, the image improvement in the commercial part of the airport is also noticeable.
The shops within the terminal building occupy an area of approximately 2,200 sq m, with new modern duty-free shops with special decoration (new floors, wooden panels, LED lighting, new air conditioners, etc.), 6 new renovated food outlets in departures and two in the check-in areas.
The success of the intervention is twofold. On the one hand, there is satisfaction for the new, perfect appearance that Heraklion Airport now presents internally, and on the other hand, there is satisfaction and relief for the fact that everything went absolutely smoothly in terms of work rates and the already tight schedules.
The timeline for the "facelift", which began in early October, was to be completed by the end of March or early April, i.e. within a record time of 165 days. And so it was! This very large project was completed in operation and in just 5 months, with absolute success, setting an example to follow.
The expansion-renovation works at the "N. Kazantzakis" airport, financed by a donation from the company "Duty-Free Shops", began in early October 2017 and specifically on 11.10.2017 when the contract was signed between "EKTER S.A." and the company "DUTY-FREE SHOPS". The relevant contract provided for the expansion of the building facilities of the "Nikos Kazantzakis" airport by 3,000 sq m, the renovation of another 8,000 sq m and the construction of new duty-free shops of 2,200 sq m. The project also included the increase in the number of gates for passenger departures.
The renovation of the "N. Kazantzakis" airport premises was carried out with functionality and the improvement of the travel experience in mind. Based on this philosophy, passenger screening will be carried out at the beginning, following the model of Athens International Airport, so that passengers can then seamlessly navigate open recreational areas.
An important piece of the "puzzle" of the airport's renovation are the new electronic systems, while emphasis has also been placed on electronic advertising, through which the beauties of the island, Cretan products, etc. will be promoted.
