Chios Airport will close to regular flight operations from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 for runway extension and safety improvements, a plan that has sparked strong opposition from local businesses and officials concerned about the island’s transport links during the winter holidays.
The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) says the temporary closure of Chios State Airport “Homer” is necessary to carry out the work safely. The project includes extending the runway northwards and upgrading the airport’s operational infrastructure, with the aim of improving safety and allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft in the future.
However, local representatives are challenging the timing of the closure. They say the shutdown is due to begin earlier than the 15 January date they understood had initially been agreed, potentially disrupting holiday travel, family visits and access to medical appointments.
The HCAA says the revised timetable reduces the planned duration of the second and third phases of the construction work from five months to four. The contractor has also pledged to make every effort to complete the project by 28 February 2027, although the published operational suspension is scheduled to run until 15 March.
The Authority says the schedule takes into account the airport’s relatively short runway, winter weather conditions and the need to restore normal flight connections in time for the 2027 tourist season. A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) has been issued to inform relevant parties of the planned closure and allow airlines and other operators to adjust their schedules.
During the suspension, emergency flights will be able to use helicopters, landing and taking off directly from the airport apron. The arrangement is intended to support air ambulance transfers, search and rescue missions, firefighting operations, humanitarian missions and other state or nationally important flights.
For now, the airport remains operational because construction is still in its first phase. However, the available runway length has been temporarily reduced, restricting services to turboprop aircraft carrying a limited number of passengers.
Once completed, the runway extension will bring its total length to 1,799 metres. The HCAA expects the improvements to strengthen operational safety and expand the range of aircraft the airport can accommodate, potentially improving air connections for the island and supporting its local economy.
The planned closure has prompted a growing response from Chios’s business community and other local organisations, some of which have warned of protest action, including the possibility of closing shops to press for the airport to remain open during the holiday period. They are also seeking a meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport to obtain clearer information about the construction schedule and prevent further changes.
Pantelis Legatos, president of the Chios Chamber of Commerce, has warned that interrupting regular flights could have serious consequences for residents, particularly during the Christmas and New Year period. Many people have already arranged journeys, family gatherings and medical appointments that depend on the island’s air connections.
Legatos also stressed the importance of flights to Athens because of Chios’s geographical position, approximately five nautical miles from the Turkish coast. Reliable air links are important not only for tourism and business but also for residents who need to travel for healthcare and other personal or social reasons.
Kostas Moutzouris, regional governor of the North Aegean, has also questioned whether the project will be completed in time for the airport to reopen before Easter 2027. Speaking by teleconference from Mytilene, he raised concerns about the proposed timetable while emphasising the need to improve the airport’s infrastructure. He said he would participate in the relevant decision-making procedures.
Chios Mayor Giannis Malafis has called for the island’s air connections to be maintained during major holiday periods, specifically Christmas, New Year and Easter. He has also insisted that decisions affecting the project should involve local authorities, organisations and the wider community.
The dispute centres on the balance between completing necessary runway improvements and maintaining access to the island while the work is under way. Local representatives are seeking firm assurances about the closure dates, the project’s completion and the arrangements for residents who depend on regular flights. The HCAA’s published schedule currently provides for the suspension of regular operations until 15 March 2027, while the contractor is aiming to finish the works by the end of February.
