Greece is set to inject more than €313 million ($AUD 547 million) into its aviation infrastructure, aiming to enhance air transport safety and accelerate the development of the new international airport at Kastelli, Heraklion, on the island of Crete.
The commitment was announced during a parliamentary session focused on the draft bill titled “Validation of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil.” While the bill centres on bilateral aviation relations, the investment package is part of a separate, wide-reaching government initiative to reform and modernise Greece’s air transport sector.
Deputy Infrastructure and Transport Minister Nikos Tachiaos detailed the scope of the investment, noting that more than €200 million ($AUD 348 million) will be directed toward the comprehensive upgrade of the country’s air traffic control systems. This includes new-generation communication networks and state-of-the-art navigation and surveillance technologies to bolster safety and efficiency.
Tachiaos further stated that an additional €113 million ($AUD 198 million) is earmarked for infrastructure and air navigation enhancements at the under-construction Kastelli airport. Combined, the investments exceed €313 million, underscoring the government’s strategic focus on aviation as a critical sector.
Major recruitment drive for civil aviation authority
In parallel, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is moving to resolve staffing gaps in civil aviation. Working with the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP), the ministry will recruit 716 new staff members for the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) by 2026.
According to Deputy Minister Tachiaos, the HCAA “is currently ranked among the top civil aviation authorities in Europe in terms of regulatory standards and certifications,” highlighting the agency’s pivotal role in ensuring safe and efficient air travel in Greek airspace.
This multi-pronged approach—pairing substantial financial investment with workforce expansion—signals Greece’s commitment to building a robust and future-ready aviation ecosystem.
