If you were planning a late-autumn or winter escape to Chios, you'll need a rethink: the Greek island's airport is closing to regular traffic from the evening of 15 November 2026 until 15 March 2027.
The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority says the shutdown is needed to safely extend and upgrade the runway at Chios State Airport "Homer", pushing its total length to 1,799 metres. That should eventually allow larger aircraft to land, improving safety and boosting the island's air links and local economy. The closure covers the second and third phases of the work, now crammed into four months rather than the five originally planned, with the contractor targeting completion by 28 February 2027.
There's a lifeline for emergencies: helicopters will be able to use the airport apron directly for air ambulances, search and rescue, firefighting and other state or humanitarian missions. Right now the airport is still open, though only limited turboprops are operating because part of the runway is already unavailable.
Locals are far from happy. Community groups are threatening protest action, including closing shops, to push for the airport to stay open over the holidays, and want a meeting with the transport minister. The original deal reportedly had work starting on 15 January, not mid-November — a shift the Chios Chamber of Commerce president, Pantelis Legatos, says will hit residents hard during the festive season, when many have booked travel, family visits and medical appointments. He notes Chios sits barely five nautical miles from the Turkish coast, making the Athens flight a vital link for healthcare. The North Aegean regional governor, Kostas Moutzouris, has even questioned whether the airport will be ready before Easter 2027, while mayor Giannis Malafis is asking for operations to continue at Christmas, New Year and Easter.
For travellers, the practical picture is this: no scheduled flights in or out of Chios between mid-November and mid-March, so winter trips will need to go via the ferry from Piraeus or nearby islands. Anyone with bookings in that window should contact their airline, and the authorities say a NOTAM is already in place so carriers can re-plan. The safest bet for a Chios holiday is to wait until spring 2027, ideally after confirming the airport has actually reopened — given local doubts about the timeline, check before you book.
