ElectroAir expands ground power infrastructure at the New Kastelli International Airport in Crete
Greece’s new Kastelli International Airport is among the largest aviation infrastructure projects in the Mediterranean. As the airport enters its final construction phase, ElectroAir is expanding its role from PIT supplier to a full-scope ground power partner, delivering fixed and bridge-mounted GPUs together with engineering and commissioning services.
Two years ago, ElectroAir provided the airport’s underground PIT systems, now fully delivered and integrated into the apron works. Building on this cooperation, ElectroAir has been awarded a new turnkey package that will shape how aircraft at Kastelli are powered for decades.
Kastelli International Airport (Crete): ElectroAir Expands Its Role in a New Generation of Greek Airport Infrastructure
The new Kastelli International Airport is designed to become a key air transport hub for Greece, replacing the existing Heraklion airport and serving up to 11 million passengers a year. With a 3,200-metre runway, new terminal facilities, and an upgraded road network, the project represents one of the largest public-private aviation investments in the country, developed by the Greek State in cooperation with GMR Group and GEK TERNA.
ElectroAir first joined the project with a contract to supply underground PIT systems for the new apron. These systems, already manufactured and delivered, form the hidden backbone of the airport’s service infrastructure, bringing 400 Hz power and utilities up through flush-mounted hatches precisely where the aircraft need them. As the project progressed and the value of a unified, long-term ground power strategy became clear, our role was expanded to include the airport’s complete fixed and bridge-mounted GPU package, together with engineering, on-site training, and commissioning.
This extended scope transforms our involvement at Kastelli from a single component supplier into a strategic turnkey partner.
By designing the PIT systems, fixed 90 kVA units, and bridge-mounted GPUs as one integrated architecture, ElectroAir helps the airport achieve: shorter turnarounds, reduced APU usage and emissions, better cable management on the apron, and a future-ready electrical layout that can scale with traffic growth. For GMR Group and GEK TERNA, it means one point of responsibility for the entire ground power ecosystem, from concept and drawings to training the teams who will run it.
Scope of Supply from ElectroAir
To support the airport’s long-term operational needs, ElectroAir is delivering a complete ground power package that connects the terminal’s electrical infrastructure directly to every aircraft stand:
• 29 underground PIT systems (already delivered to the site)
• 29 fixed 90 kVA ground power units
• 10 bridge-mounted ground power units (EAC-PBB)
• Full turnkey engineering, training, and commissioning
All systems are engineered and produced in Europe, factory-tested, and prepared for seamless integration with the airport’s electrical network,
safety systems, and operational procedures.
Why Kastelli Airport Chose ElectroAir
Integrated turnkey solution
ElectroAir delivers a complete ground power ecosystem rather than isolated products. PIT systems, fixed GPUs, and bridge-mounted units are engineered as one architecture, with coordinated drawings, interfaces, and commissioning procedures.
Proven delivery performance
The initial batch of underground PIT systems was delivered on schedule, aligned with the tight construction milestones.
This track record of reliability and responsiveness built the confidence needed to expand the project scope.
Standards & sustainability
All systems are designed in line with ICAO, IATA AHM, EN/ISO, and EASA requirements, enabling safe APU-off operations, lower emissions, and reduced noise on the apron, key objectives for Greece’s new flagship airport.
Long-term partnership
By combining European manufacturing with engineering support and training, ElectroAir offers a long-term partnership model.
For GMR Group and GEK TERNA, this ensures consistent support across future projects in Greece, India, and other regions.
Building the Electrical Backbone of a New European Hub
At Kastelli, the ground power infrastructure is treated as a mission-critical system, not just equipment at the edge of the apron.
ElectroAir’s PIT systems, fixed converters, and bridge-mounted GPUs are arranged into a cohesive network that links the airport’s
main electrical rooms with each individual stand and passenger boarding bridge. The result is a backbone that can deliver stable,
monitored 400 Hz power where and when it is needed, even as traffic patterns evolve over time.
Each subsystem is engineered with predictive maintenance and data integration in mind. Metering data, alarms, operating hours, and
event logs can be connected to the airport’s management systems, creating a digital layer on top of the physical infrastructure.
This enables operators to detect anomalies early, optimise energy use, and plan maintenance based on actual utilisation rather than fixed intervals.
The modular design of the ElectroAir architecture also gives Kastelli Airport a clear pathway for future growth. Additional stands or
terminal extensions can be connected to the existing backbone without redesigning the entire system. This scalability is particularly
important for a greenfield hub expected to handle increasing tourism and regional traffic for decades to come.
On the Apron: Connecting the Aircraft, Not the Cables
With both underground PIT systems and bridge-mounted EAC-PBB units available at each contact stand, the apron at Kastelli Airport is designed to keep service areas clean and efficient. Power is routed from below the surface or from the passenger boarding bridge, reducing the number of mobile units and loose cables in high-traffic zones.
For airlines and ground handlers, this translates into shorter connection times, less congestion around the aircraft, and a safer working environment. For the airport operator, it means fewer points of failure, lower maintenance costs over the lifecycle of the infrastructure, and a layout that supports smooth, data-driven operations from the very first day of service.
Planning a new terminal, apron, or airport modernisation?
ElectroAir delivers complete, scalable ground power ecosystems, from PIT systems and bridge-mounted GPUs to engineering, training, and turnkey commissioning.
Our teams support airports, MRO bases, and developers worldwide in designing infrastructure that is safe, efficient, and ready for future growth.
*Product names and specifications according to ElectroAir public materials. Project scope summarised for readability; actual implementation may include additional equipment and interfaces.