Heraklion Airport

Overview

Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, identified by IATA code HER and ICAO code LGIR, is the main air gateway for Heraklion and one of the key arrival points for visitors heading to Crete. Classified as a large airport, it sits just 115 feet (35 m) above sea level and operates in the Europe/Athens time zone. For travellers, that means a convenient base for reaching the city, nearby beach resorts, and many of the island’s best-known archaeological and cultural sights soon after landing.

What Travellers Should Know

• The airport serves Heraklion, Greece, making it the most practical arrival point for many stays in central and eastern Crete.
• Its official website is https://www.heraklion-airport.gr/en/, which is useful for checking airport services and local information before you fly.
• The airfield has two asphalt runways: 09/27 at 8,904 feet and lighted for operations, and 12/30 at 5,138 feet.
• Because it is a large airport, passengers can expect a busy atmosphere, especially in peak holiday periods.

Airfield And Operations

From an aviation perspective, the airport is well equipped for regular commercial traffic, with its longer 09/27 runway supporting a broad range of aircraft movements and lighting that helps maintain operations in lower-light conditions. The second runway, 12/30, adds operational flexibility. While most visitors will notice the airport mainly as their first and last stop in Crete, these features help explain why HER plays such an important role in keeping Heraklion connected with Greece and the wider travel network.