Greece’s Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority will close Chios “Omiros” Airport from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 for runway and manoeuvring-area upgrades. The four-month shutdown will suspend scheduled commercial services operated by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express, leaving the island without regular air links during the winter period. The runway extension is intended to enable larger aircraft to serve Chios ahead of the 2027 summer season.
The project will lengthen the runway from 1,511 metres to 1,799 metres and includes wider improvement and modernisation work. The contractor aims to complete the construction by the end of February, but the HCAA has retained 15 March as the formal date for resuming airport operations.
The authority considers a full closure necessary because of the technical requirements of the works, the runway’s current limited length, winter weather conditions and the need to coordinate and supervise the construction phases more effectively. Helicopters will remain available for urgent missions, including medical evacuations, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian operations and state flights.
The earlier closure than originally planned has prompted opposition from business groups, municipal representatives and other local organisations. Their objections focus on the loss of air connectivity over Christmas and the wider winter season, as well as the absence of prior consultation. No detailed schedule of individual cancelled flights or replacement services has been published.