The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) said that, as part of ongoing works to extend, improve and upgrade the manoeuvring area and runway infrastructure at Chios State Airport “Omiros”, the runway will be temporarily closed from the evening of Sunday 15 November 2026 until 15 March 2027.
Applying the strictest criteria for carrying out works safely at an airport with a short runway, and with a view to (a) ensuring smooth air links during the 2027 tourist season, (b) mitigating the effects of winter weather, (c) optimising the organisation of the construction site and supervision of the works, and (d) ensuring a smoother technical transition, the HCAA and the competent department of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport accepted the revised proposal submitted by the contractor carrying out the infrastructure upgrade, following an examination and assessment of all the relevant factors. The temporary closure of the runway was deemed absolutely necessary given the scale and complexity of the qualitative and operational data involved in the works, while the HCAA aims to keep the closure as short as possible.
Under the new timetable, the Phase B and C works will be carried out over a period of four months, down from the five months set out in the original approved schedule, also taking into account the contractor’s commitment to seek to accelerate completion of the works by 28 February 2027.
The HCAA has issued a NOTAM for the period during which the runway will be closed. During the works, emergency flights such as medical evacuations, search-and-rescue, firefighting, humanitarian, state and other flights of national importance will be able to operate by helicopter, landing and taking off directly to and from the apron.
We remind readers that the works are currently in the first phase, during which the airport remains operational with a shortened runway, as flights are operated by turboprop aircraft with a limited number of passenger seats.
The upgrade works include extending the runway to the north and aim to enhance its already high level of operational safety. Once the project is complete, the runway will be 1,799 metres long, enabling larger aircraft to be handled for the benefit of passengers and the local economy.
In this context, the HCAA calls on all those concerned to take the planned closure period—from the evening of 15 November 2026 until 15 March 2027—into account when drawing up their respective plans.