Porto Cheli Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic and private reasons. The airfield was privately owned and operated (by Mr. Tasos Manesis) and faced prohibitive costs for maintenance, insurance, and regulatory compliance. The challenging economic environment in Greece during that period likely contributed to the decision, making the operation of a small, niche airfield financially unsustainable for its private owner. There is no indication that it was closed due to a specific accident, safety mandate, or military conversion.

The airport site is currently abandoned and derelict. The single asphalt runway (approximately 670 meters long) remains physically intact but is visibly deteriorating and unmaintained. The large 'X' markings at both ends clearly denote its closed status. A small hangar and a dilapidated windsock pole are still present on the site. The land has not been repurposed and remains as defunct aviation infrastructure, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Porto Cheli Airport was a private General Aviation (GA) airfield whose significance was tied directly to its location in one of Greece's most exclusive resort areas. Known as the 'Greek Riviera', Porto Cheli is a destination for wealthy tourists, yacht owners, and affluent individuals with holiday villas. The airport provided a crucial service for this clientele, allowing them to fly directly to the resort in small private aircraft (e.g., single and twin-engine propeller planes like Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcrafts). This bypassed the 2.5-3 hour drive from Athens International Airport (LGAV), greatly enhancing the convenience and exclusivity of the destination. It primarily handled private, non-scheduled flights and was an important piece of infrastructure supporting the area's high-end tourism market.

There are no official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Porto Cheli Airport. The cost to resurface the runway, modernize facilities, and meet current aviation safety and security standards would be substantial. Regional development focus for improving transportation to the area has shifted towards the creation of a seaplane terminal (hydroplane base) in the port of Porto Cheli. This project has received licensing and is considered a more flexible and economically viable solution for connecting the coastal resort with Athens, the islands, and other destinations. Therefore, the reopening of the old land-based airfield is considered highly unlikely.