Bidding Process for Crete’s Kastelli Airport Extended to May 6

The future Kastelli airport is expected to replace the current Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion.

The bidding process for the Kastelli airport project in Heraklion, Crete, has been extended until May 6, Infrastructure Minister Christos Spirtzis announced this week, citing the “complexity”of the project.

“In view of the complexity of project under auction, it has been decided that a longer period is required for further comments on the draft concession contract by interested parties, and it is therefore necessary to extend the deadline,” the minister said.

Set to be operational in 2018, the airport is expected to handle more than seven million passengers per year, becoming Greece’s second-biggest airport.

Thus far Chinese, French, German and Spanish groups have expressed interest in obtaining the 37-year concession through joint initiatives with Greek companies. The project has been budgeted at 900 million euros, and the winning bidder will also be responsible for the construction of Crete-wide road links to the airport. In the meantime, water and sanitation projects will also be required, including the transfer of the settlements located within the proposed runway.

Once completed, it is expected to replace the current Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion.