The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has confirmed that Chios State Airport "Homer" will suspend all runway operations from the evening of Sunday, 15 November 2026, until 15 March 2027. The four-month closure is required to complete the second and third phases of a project to extend and upgrade the runway, which the authority says is essential for improving flight safety.
The works include extending the runway northward and upgrading the airport's operational infrastructure. The HCAA says the revised schedule shortens the construction period from five months to four, with the contractor aiming to finish by 28 February 2027. A NOTAM has been issued to inform airlines and other stakeholders, allowing them to adjust their schedules in advance.
During the closure, emergency flights will still be able to operate using helicopters, which will land and take off directly from the airport apron. This covers air ambulance transfers, search and rescue missions, firefighting operations, humanitarian flights, and other state missions. For now, the airport remains operational, but the reduced runway length means only turboprop aircraft with limited passenger capacity are being served.
Once completed, the runway will be extended to 1,799 metres, enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft. The HCAA says this will improve connectivity for Chios and benefit both passengers and the local economy. However, the announcement has triggered strong opposition from local authorities and business groups, who argue that the closure will disrupt the island's social and economic life, particularly during the Christmas and New Year period.
Pantelis Legatos, president of the Chios Chamber of Commerce, warned that the interruption of air links will have a severe impact on residents who have already planned journeys, family visits, and medical appointments. He stressed that Chios's location, just five nautical miles from the Turkish coast, makes the air connection with Athens vital for access to health services and for personal and social needs.
Local organisations are planning protest actions, including the possibility of shutting down shops to keep the airport open over the holidays. They are also requesting a meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport to clarify the timetable and avoid last-minute changes. The mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, has called for the airport to remain operational during the festive periods and insists that any decision should be made in consultation with the local community.
Kostas Moutzouris, regional governor of the North Aegean, expressed doubts about whether the airport will be ready to resume operations before Easter 2027. Speaking via teleconference from Mytilene, he emphasised the need for a substantive upgrade of the infrastructure but also stressed the importance of involving local stakeholders in the decision-making process.
The HCAA has urged passengers, airlines, and all parties to take the planned suspension into account when arranging travel between 15 November 2026 and 15 March 2027. The authority maintains that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of the works and to guarantee smooth air links for the 2027 tourist season.
