Indra to Equip Heraklion Airport with Advanced Air Traffic Systems
- Indra is leading the consortium that will equip the new Heraklion International Airport in Crete with state-of-the-art air traffic management technology. The airport is expected to handle 10 million passengers annually by 2030.
- The company will supply tower and approach control systems, Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), ADS-B surveillance, primary and secondary surveillance radars, voice and radio communication systems, navigation aids, and cybersecurity solutions.
- The project strengthens Indra’s leadership in European air traffic management, where it is the technology partner of the iTEC Collaboration, is modernizing the United Kingdom’s and Germany’s national radar networks, and is developing the world’s first multi-airport remote tower centre in Finland.
Following an international tender, International Airport of Heraklion Crete SA (IAHC), the company responsible for the new Heraklion International Airport in Crete, has awarded Indra, in consortium with the Greek company ATESE, the contract to supply the surveillance, air navigation, and air traffic management (ATM) systems for the new airport, which will replace the current airport on the Greek island.
Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP), Greece’s air navigation service provider and the end user of the systems, participated in the evaluation and approval of Indra’s proposal.
Víctor Martínez, Executive Vice President of ATM at Indra Group, and Nikos Anastasiou, CEO of IAHC, signed the €85 million contract at a ceremony in Crete in the presence of Greece’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas.
The new airport, one of Greece’s most important transport infrastructure projects, is designed to strengthen Crete’s international connectivity, meet growing demand, and improve the passenger experience. Passenger traffic is expected to reach 10 million annually by 2030.
Indra will be responsible for the supply, installation, integration, and commissioning of advanced systems to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable management of air operations at the new airport.
The company will deploy an integrated solution that includes:
- Tower and approach control systems
- Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS)
- Primary and secondary surveillance radars
- ADS-B surveillance
- Voice and radio communication systems
- Navigation aids
- Control tower technologies
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Other airport operational support systems
The contract also includes system design, integration, installation, testing, training, commissioning, and ongoing support.
Indra’s solutions are designed to meet the highest European standards in air traffic management and are ready to support future operational and technological requirements aligned with Europe’s air traffic modernization programs.
“The new Heraklion International Airport will be a key infrastructure for Greece’s future, and we are proud to contribute to its development with the most advanced air navigation and air traffic management solutions. Our commitment is to help our customers operate with the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and sustainability,” said Víctor Martínez, Executive Vice President of ATM at Indra Group.
Nikos Anastasiou, CEO of IAHC, added:
“Today marks a major milestone that brings us closer to the airport’s operation. We believe this infrastructure will support Crete’s growth for decades to come. We are confident that our close collaboration with Indra-ATESE will ensure the successful delivery of this challenging project. We sincerely thank the Ministry, especially the Minister, for the continued support, as well as all the teams working hard to achieve this milestone.”
The contract further strengthens Indra’s position as one of the world’s leading air traffic management technology providers and expands its presence in Greece. The company has already supplied A-SMGCS systems for Athens and Thessaloniki International Airports, where they are currently in operation.
Indra also plays a key role in the modernization of European air traffic management through projects including:
- Renewal of the national radar networks in the United Kingdom and Germany
- Development of the world’s first multi-airport remote tower centre in Finland
- Technology partnership in the iTEC Collaboration, creating a common air traffic management platform with leading air navigation service providers across Europe and Canada
Globally, Indra has delivered critical air navigation projects with technology deployed in more than 300 control centres and supporting over 90% of daily flights. Its systems currently manage more than 33% of the world’s Flight Information Regions (FIRs), helping make aviation safer, more efficient, digital, and sustainable.
Aviation Jeta is an aviation news platform covering airlines, airports, aircraft, and global aviation developments. We publish accurate, well-researched, and detailed aviation news and industry insights from around the world.
