New increase in passenger traffic at Heraklion Airport | Decade record and strong arrivals from abroad

The passenger traffic at Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” saw a significant increase in October 2025, confirming the very positive trend of this year.

According to official statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority, the month ended with a 11.10% increase in international arrivals, while domestic arrivals remained at the same level as in 2024.

The overview for the ten-month period January–October 2025 is even more impressive. 9.62 million passengers have already been transported, a number that surpasses last year’s record, recording a 6.86% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Of these, more than 4 million passengers came from international flights (+6.1%), while domestic flights saw an even higher increase of 10.26%, with the overall picture reflecting the continued strengthening of Heraklion as a tourist and aviation hub.

The main markets in October 2025

The following is the breakdown of international arrivals in October:

• Germany: 189,177 passengers
• United Kingdom: 76,958
• Greece (domestic): 75,611
• France: 48,103
• Switzerland: 19,898
• Poland: 17,076
• Israel: 16,955
• Netherlands: 16,933
• Austria: 11,486
• Belgium: 10,371

The German market continues to be the primary source of arrivals for Heraklion, while the steady presence of travelers from Great Britain, France, and Israel is noteworthy. Poland and the Netherlands remain two of the fastest-growing markets, with arrivals showing upward trends for the rest of the year.

The view of the ten-month period January – October 2025

Over the entire ten-month period, the top ten countries with the most arrivals in Heraklion are as follows:

• Germany: 1,197,022 passengers
• Greece (domestic): 783,417
• United Kingdom: 663,620
• France: 425,540
• Poland: 232,669
• Netherlands: 199,620
• Israel: 169,100
• Italy: 158,218
• Switzerland: 135,199
• Belgium: 125,137

Germany, the United Kingdom, and France remain the three strongest markets for Crete, while Greece (domestic flights) maintains a high level of traffic throughout the year. The significant presence of countries such as Poland, the Netherlands, and Israel reflects the diversity of the tourist audience that Crete attracts, with increasing participation from Southern and Eastern Europe.

Record and preparation for 2026

The airport administration notes that last year’s record “is already history,” as the 2025 performance is set at a higher level. Preparations for the 2026 season have already begun, with the goal of improving infrastructure, enhancing the traveler experience, and further expanding connections to new destinations.

This trend confirms the strategic role of Heraklion as the main gateway to Crete and as one of the busiest airports in the country, with a continuous contribution to the island’s tourism development and economy.