AIRPORT TOUR

THURSDAY 27 APRIL 2023 – 14.30 – 15.30 – CHANIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis”: Looking into the History & Future

Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis”, (CHQ) is the 3rd largest of the 14 Regional Airports, operated by Fraport Greece. A leading international gateway, located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi.) away from the city of Chania, named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, a wealthy shipbuilder and shipowner who led a Cretan revolt against Ottoman rule, during the 18th Century.

It is a joint civil–military airport, servicing both types of flights, as there are two military bases operating there: HAF 115 CW and US Naval Support Activity, using dedicated infrastructure facilities. All three entities operate through a communaly-used Maneuvering Area (runway and taxiways) and are supported by communal Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) Services.

During 2022, a six-year passenger traffic record was set, with a total of 3,290,802 passengers transported through Chania airport thus an average increase (compared to 2019) of 10.3% (i.e. 0.9% domestic and 13% international passengers). Being one of the most significant transportation destinations of the island, CHQ serves the popular tourist destinations of western Crete and the surrounding cities.

To cope with high demand it has an airline terminal of 33.95 m2, in which 55 airlines are operating, from/to 112 destinations in 25 countries. Also, inside the terminal are located 16 gates, 22 check-in counters, 5 arrivals baggage conveyor belts, 8 security screening points, PRM facilities, VIP lounge, retail stores and F&B units.

Finally, yet importantly, the “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” airport is an economic multiplier for the local community, not only by being the arrival spot for millions of tourists, throughout the year, but also due to the businesses that are based at the airport and the respective permanent and seasonal personnel, securing the high-quality services to all travelers.

Experience the airport up close… Let’s get acquainted with CHQ!

As part of a memorable experience you will be provided by our expert personnel, a unique look at what it takes to keep our airport running daily!

During the 45 minutes tour, you will have the opportunity to explore many places and working areas which passengers never visit.

Meeting each other at the curbside of the airport (Level 0)  you will be guided to the airport’s Terminal facilities, 23 check-in counters (22 +1 for oversized luggage) and security points (all departing passengers –Intra/Extra Schengen), along with the F&B’s at all Gates and the passport control;

the tour continues to the airport’s apron (Level 1) using a ramp bus, visiting the runway used by military and commercial aircraft (the CHQ is a joint civil–military airport, servicing both types of flights), the waste building and the service road, eventually, leading us back to the intra Schengen arrivals.

And all of that, from a distance of just a few tens of meters, where you will be able to watch airplanes landing and taking off!

At the end of the tour, a light meal, sponsored by SSP, will be provided in the airport VIP lounge for attendees waiting for flights.

Transport will be provided for those attendees who wish to return to the Avra Imperial Hotel.