Nea Kavala Polykastro Airfield

The primary reason for its final closure was its conversion into a refugee and migrant reception facility. In response to the 2015-2016 European migrant crisis, the Greek government repurposed several abandoned military sites to house the large influx of people. The Nea Kavala airfield was officially selected and transformed into a camp, effectively ending any potential for aviation use.

The site of the former airfield is now the Nea Kavala Open Reception Facility for refugees and migrants. It is one of the largest state-run camps in northern Greece. Satellite imagery and on-the-ground reports confirm that the entire airfield, including the runway, taxiways, and aprons, has been converted. The area is now covered with temporary housing structures (such as ISObox containers and tents), administrative buildings, and other infrastructure necessary to support the resident population. The original layout of the runway is still visible, but it is completely obstructed and non-operational.

Nea Kavala Polykastro Airfield was a military installation operated by the Hellenic Army Aviation. Its primary role was as a forward operating base for army helicopters and possibly light observation/transport aircraft. Its strategic importance stemmed from its location in northern Greece, close to the borders with what were then Yugoslavia (now North Macedonia) and Bulgaria. During the Cold War, it served to support Greek Army ground units in the region, providing air mobility, reconnaissance, and rapid response capabilities. The airfield was never used for scheduled commercial or civilian passenger flights.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airfield. Given its current critical and long-term function as a major government-run reception facility, its return to aviation use is considered highly improbable. The significant infrastructure built for the camp would require complete removal, and the humanitarian need for the facility currently supersedes any potential for reactivating it as an airport.