Runway Upgrade Complete
Zakynthos International Airport “Dionysios Solomos” (ZTH) has successfully completed its runway reconstruction and is fully operational as of 17 February 2026. The two-week closure from February 2–16 was part of Fraport Greece’s fourth phase of infrastructure upgrades across eight regional Greek airports.
The works were completed on schedule, and regular commercial flights have resumed. The airport is ready for the 2026 tourism season.
What Was Upgraded
The reconstruction focused on the runway itself — complete resurfacing with modern materials to improve structural integrity, drainage, and safety margins. The works are part of a broader €200 million investment by Fraport Greece across the regional airports it has operated under a 40-year concession since 2017. Other airports in the program include Corfu, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini.
What It Means for 2026
The improved runway surface raises ZTH’s capacity for heavier aircraft and higher traffic volumes, which matters during peak summer months when the airport handles hundreds of charter and low-cost flights weekly from across Europe — primarily from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
The upgrade was deliberately scheduled for the off-season to minimize disruption to travelers, with February being the quietest month in Zakynthos’ tourist calendar.
Getting to Zakynthos
With the airport fully operational, travelers have two main options:
- By air: Direct charter and scheduled flights from major European cities to ZTH, especially from April through October
- By ferry: Year-round connections from Kyllini (Peloponnese) via Levante Ferries — 4 daily crossings in low season, up to 6 in summer, 1h15min crossing time
For current flight schedules and ferry times, see our complete 2026 ferry guide.
Photo: Terminal building at Zakynthos Airport / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0
