Kastelli: The new airport of Crete needs infrastructure

The need for immediate interventions and strategic planning of accompanying infrastructure around the new Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli (DAIK) was emphasized by the Mayor of Hersonissos, Zacharias Doxastakis, during the visit of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, to the construction site of the major project.

Mr. Doxastakis underlined, among other things, the need for the construction of a third traffic lane in each direction on the Heraklion-Chersonissos junction of the Northern Road Axis of Crete (VOAK), as well as the institutional and technical review of the possibility of implementing a fixed-track railway that will connect the new airport with the urban complex of Heraklion.

Furthermore, he called for the immediate start of works on the "Xerokambos" tunnel, the provision of underpasses on the new Hersonissos-DAHK road axis, as well as the financing of the Local Development Program proposed by the local government in cooperation with neighboring municipalities.

During the inspection of the construction site of the new airport — where, according to the Minister, the overall progress reaches 60% and the completion of the runways exceeds 80% — the Mayor of Hersonissos made a series of important remarks, highlighting the following:

The absence of a clear timetable for the implementation of the tunnel and the possible impacts on the completion of the project.
The traffic risk from the lack of a third lane on the section of the VOAK towards Hersonissos, due to increased travel to the new airport.
The international originality and failure, as he characterized it, of not providing a fixed-track means of transport for such an important air hub.
The need to review the feasibility of the Agriana interchange, with the aim of achieving more rational urban planning and traffic management of the area.
The need for official information on the routing of the IPTO network that will power the new airport, as well as for the approval of the relevant technical study.

“The presence of the Minister here is extremely important. It is an opportunity to highlight critical issues that are inextricably linked to the success of this major project, which can radically change the economy and development trajectory of Crete”, said Mr. Doxastakis.

The Mayor stressed that the support of the new airport by the Municipal Authority is a given; however, he reiterated that the design must be comprehensive, with an emphasis on safety, functionality, and local prosperity. “We ask for full information, substantial participation, and fair treatment of our region, so that the new airport does not develop into an opportunity for a few, but into a vehicle for prosperity for all”, he noted.

The International Airport in Kastelli is expected to become one of the most modern airports in the southeastern Mediterranean, strengthening Crete's strategic position on the map of international tourism and transport.