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Your Private Jet to Heraklion on the Island of Crete

Serving nearly seven million passengers each year, Heraklion "Nikos Kazantzakis" Airport is Greece’s second-largest airport after Athens. Located on the island of Crete, Heraklion becomes particularly busy with holidaymakers during the summer season, although the airport remains open throughout winter as well.

The History of Heraklion Airport

The airport’s first runway was built in 1937 and was initially only used by small private aircraft. In 1939, the first passenger jet – with a capacity of 14 – landed on it, and shortly thereafter daily flights to Athens were established. The Second World War brought the civil aviation programme to a standstill. For a few years, the airport was used by the German Luftwaffe to attack targets in the Mediterranean Sea.

The facilities at Heraklion Airport were still very basic when the first passenger aircraft landed there after the end of the war with the administration, airlines and passengers all served by one tent. The direction of the wind was determined by burning dry grass. Tents and open fires are no longer a sight for those arriving into Heraklion. A small terminal building was built in 1947 and then expanded and renovated in 1971.

In the 1990s, additional new buildings and extensions were necessary as Crete had developed into a popular holiday destination and more and more tourists wanted to spend their holidays on the legendary island. The runway was adapted and extended to finally accommodate larger passenger aircraft and private jets in Heraklion.

Heraklion Airport Location:

Distances from Heraklion Airport to:

  • Heraklion city centre: approx. 6 kilometres by car
  • Knossos: approx. 7 kilometres by car
  • Rethymno: approx. 82 kilometres by car

With a surface area of approximately 8,000 square kilometres, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, making it worth hiring a car after your charter flight arrives in Heraklion. Several local and international car rental agencies are available directly in the arrival hall while taxis wait for passengers around the clock in front of the terminal. Equally, you can easily book a personal taxi over the phone before landing in Heraklion.

Charter a Flight to Heraklion and Experience History First-Hand

History and archaeology lovers will have a lot to see and experience after their charter flight to Heraklion in Crete. Crete was first inhabited at least 130,000 years ago. The Minoans brought to the island the first high culture in Europe. The most famous tourist attraction in Crete from this era, the Palace of Knossos, can be reached by car in just 10 minutes from the airport. This extensive archaeological site is worth a visit for Greek history and mythology enthusiasts, as the legendary home of the Minotaur. According to the myth, this creature was a giant man with the head of a bull who dwelt in a labyrinth under the palace.

If you would rather experience a vibrant, bustling town instead of ancient temples, then the one-hour drive from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno is worth your while. This picturesque harbour town on the north coast of the island has an eventful history. Since ancient times, Rethymno has been influenced by various cultures, including Venetian and Ottoman, traces of which are still visible in the cityscape. Several museums and historic buildings provide visitors with insights into the exciting history of Crete.

The Mediterranean Island – especially its northern coast – has a lot to offer golf players and sailing fans. Whether you want to hire a boat and go to sea along the coast of Crete or visit one of the high-quality golf courses, you will undoubtedly feel refreshed when leaving Heraklion in your charter jet. Your private jet from Heraklion can take you to one of the following popular destinations:

Heraklion Airport offers frequent connections to destinations in Greece, Europe and Africa. You can charter a flight to Athens and arrive there in about 50 minutes from Heraklion. It takes about two hours to get to Luxor, and Moscow is less than three and a half hours from Heraklion in a private business jet. You can even get a flight from Heraklion to Shannon in Ireland, with the flight taking about 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Features of Heraklion Airport

If you are flying by private jet to Heraklion and have some time to fill, two VIP lounges at the airport ensure your wait is comfortable. The lounges have televisions, internet access and air conditioning, as well as current newspapers and magazines, not to mention cool refreshments.

Direction Length and width Surface
09/27 2,682 m x 45 m Asphalt
12/30 1,566 m x 50 m Asphalt

Use JetApp to quickly and conveniently book your charter flight to or from Heraklion. Simply enter your times and destination, and the JetApp experts will take care of arranging your private jet hire and getting you to Heraklion. It goes without saying that all of your individual wishes and preferences are taken into account, so you can enjoy a tailored, smooth journey.

Airport Facts

  • Airport code: LGIR / HER
  • Altitude: 35 m (115 ft) above MSL
  • Flights: approx. 48,000 per year
  • Passengers per year: approx. 6,700,000
  • Aircraft: all common types of aircraft and weight classes
  • Runway operating hours: 24/7
  • Runways: 2 (2,682 m, 1,566 m)

Top Connections

  • Athens Airport (Greece)
  • Moscow Vnukovo Airport (Russia)
  • Luxor Airport (Egypt)
  • Shannon Airport (Ireland)
  • Khartoum Airport (Sudan)
  • Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (Israel)
  • Riyadh Airport (Saudi Arabia)
  • Hurghada Airport (Egypt)
  • Jeddah Airport (Saudi Arabia)
  • Paris Le Bourget Airport (France)
  • Vienna Airport (Austria)
  • London Luton Airport (UK)
  • Paris Villacoublay Airport (France)
  • Munich Airport (Germany)
  • Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport (Egypt)
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