Following the amendment of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the new Kastelli Airport, due to the increase in the area it occupies (approximately 300 additional stremmas), the Region of Crete, in cooperation with the Municipalities, the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and, more broadly, the relevant bodies – tourism-related and otherwise – submitted a documented proposal to change the route of the access road from VOAK to the airport.

The old route, which had been approved during the Prefecture period in 2008–2009, had remained unchanged until today, as the Ministry of Infrastructure did not even allow consultation on the matter.

“Taking the opportunity provided by the amendment of the Environmental Impact Assessment, the Region raised the issue that a tunnel should be constructed from Arno to Xirokamara and that the route which had been proposed and approved should be changed. Fortunately, the Ministry understood the request, despite the cost, which is not insignificant,” Deputy Regional Governor for the Environment Nikos Xylouris told Cretalive.

The cost of constructing the large twin tunnel is estimated at €100 million, while it will extend for 2,820 metres in one direction and 2,750 metres in the other.

“This way, the old road remains in place, so the river, the environment, the Roman aqueducts and the natural landscape are not destroyed. Most importantly, of course, the new road will be safer and cause less damage to the environment, even if it is more expensive. Crete deserves it,” the Deputy Regional Governor said.

Road Links from the Airport to Messara, Viannos and Ierapetra

Another issue concerning the impact of the airport’s construction could have a positive outcome, provided that a project is carried out at the same time for the construction of the road links connecting the airport with southern Crete: Messara, Viannos and Ierapetra.

“It is essential that these road links are completed in order to minimise travel time to the airport and prevent citizens from having to make an enormous detour,” he pointed out, stressing that this would contribute to the economic and tourism development of these areas.

Mr Xylouris also expressed the view that there should be an alternative route along the old Heraklion–Arkalohori–airport road.

“The road network needs to be improved so that people have the option of travelling to and from the airport, but above all so that there is an alternative in the event of an emergency. All these issues are being raised by the Region in order to achieve the best possible planning.”

No Underground Fuel Pipeline Is Planned

As far as fuel is concerned, there is a major gap in the planning. Airports of this kind are usually supplied with fuel through underground pipelines, both to avoid the risk of accidents and to reduce the burden on road traffic.

“Under the Ministry’s current plans, fuel will be transported by tanker trucks, which will place a traffic burden on the entire road network. There will also be the risk of an accident – one that would not simply be an accident, but a disaster, and a very serious one,” the Deputy Regional Governor responsible for the matter stressed.

He added that “it is wrong that a fuel transportation network has not been planned and that it is not being constructed alongside the road.”