Greek island airport to close four months for runway upgrade

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:58 · Archive

Chios Airport in Greece will close from November 2026 to March 2027 for a four-month runway extension and upgrade.

Chios Airport, on Greece's fifth-biggest island, will suspend all flights from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 for a four-month closure during which the runway will be extended and upgraded. The closure was originally planned to begin on 15 January, several months later than the revised schedule.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority is overseeing work to extend the runway from 1,511 metres to 1,799 metres. The current length restricts the airport to smaller propeller planes and narrow-body aircraft. Once extended, the airport will accommodate much larger aircraft, helping boost the island's tourist capacity ahead of summer season.

Emergency flights, including medical evacuations and search and rescue operations, will be permitted to land during the works. British visitors currently fly to Athens or Thessaloniki before taking connecting flights to Chios, with packages available through UK airports including Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Chios has approximately 50,000 residents and depends heavily on air connections to mainland Greece. Pantelis Legatos, president of the Chios chamber of commerce, expressed concern about the revised dates. He said the earlier closure 'will seriously affect the economy and society of the island, especially during the holiday season (Christmas, New Year), when people have planned trips, family visits and medical appointments'. He added that Chios, located five miles from Turkey, relies on air connections 'for health, entertainment and freedom reasons'.

Greek island airport to close four months for runway upgrade — Image: Croydon Guardian

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How it is being reported

All flights suspended as popular Greek island airport to close for 4 monthsChios Airport on Chios, Greece’s fifth-biggest island, will be closing down for four months, with all flights suspended.Croydon Guardian · 19 Oct, 11:04
All flights suspended as popular Greek island airport to close for 4 monthsChios Airport on Chios, Greece’s fifth-biggest island, will be closing down for four months, with all flights suspended.News Shopper · 19 Oct, 11:04
All flights suspended as popular Greek island airport to close for 4 monthsChios Airport on Chios, Greece’s fifth-biggest island, will be closing down for four months, with all flights suspended.This Is Local London · 19 Oct, 11:04
All flights suspended as popular Greek island airport to close for 4 monthsChios Airport on Chios, Greece’s fifth-biggest island, will be closing down for four months, with all flights suspended.Wandsworth Guardian · 19 Oct, 11:04

In this story: Chios · Greece · Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority · Pantelis Legatos · Turkey · Athens · Thessaloniki

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