Zagreb Airport is planning on expanding its terminal building past 2019, local media report. The development comes a year after the 300 million euro facility was opened to the public. Work on the second stage of the terminal project will be undertaken in several smaller sub-phases, according to David Gabelica, who is a member of Zagreb Airport's Management Board. As part of phase 2A, the western pier of the departures area will be extended and a new gate will be added with dual jet bridges. This will allow it to cater for either two smaller aircraft or a single wide-body jet, making the gate more flexible and efficient.
According to the concession agreement signed between the consortium running Zagreb Airport and the Croatian government, work on phase 2A should begin no later than the end of March in the year the airport anticipates handling its five-millionth passenger, which represents the existing capacity of the terminal building. Upon the completion of all four sub-phases in the second and final stage of the terminal's development, Zagreb Airport will have the capacity to handle up to eight million travellers.
The state-run Zagreb Airport Ltd (ZLZ)., which operates as a separate legal entity managing the airport's assets that are not subject to the concession, is likely to lease land across the terminal building for the construction of a hotel next year. "We are still uncertain as to who will build and run the hotel but we are now determining investor interest in the project", Igor Štimac, from ZLZ said. The 32.000 square metre four-star hotel is expected to feature 150 rooms, with the future operator required to meet airline requirements in order for the facility to be able to offer accommodation for cabin crew with a layover in Zagreb. ZLZ has already requested a location permit for the hotel from authorities, which is a pre-requisite to a building permit.
 |
| Planned new Zagreb Airport hotel |
Meanwhile, Zagreb Airport's old terminal building will likely be used for freight storage and office space. The airport's General Manager, Jacques Feron, previously said that greater focus will be placed on cargo traffic in the future. He added that despite its larger size, Zagreb lags behind Ljubljana in terms of cargo operations. According to Mr Feron, there is great potential in developing freight traffic due to the airport's location and the general demand.
Great news!
ReplyDeleteGood work. Congratulations Zagreb.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty they should have started building this additional gate the moment they finished the terminal.
ReplyDeleteAgree. But good thing they are not waiting to hit 5 million before they start this project.
DeleteMuch smarter than SPU
Delete^ That goes without saying. The airport there waited until the terminal was exploding with passengers to start any work.
DeleteI still think Dubrovnik had the best thought out expansion. Zagreb was also mess until they built the new terminal. DBV was always well prepared for passenger growth and the future.
DeleteBut DBV has the biggest problems with crosswinds.. Location of the Runway is not the best
DeleteDBV is the best!
DeleteHow many jet bridge gates does ZAG have?
ReplyDeleteI think ten.
DeleteNo, there are 8 jet bridges.
DeleteThere will be ten when they finish this expansion but currently 8.
DeleteYep 8
Deletehttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKDb955Qheg/Wk9XejP6BrI/AAAAAAAAhxg/ywhv6hsrVGQGM1cxDIDdWrc7NPotL-LSQCLcBGAs/s1600/Studio_HRG.jpg
So when they are done will this mean two wide bodies will be able to park at the terminal?
ReplyDeleteIt is already possible to park 2 wide bodies at the same time. Last summer it was AirTransat A330 and EK 773 at the same time.
DeleteAnd how many gates were inoperative because of that? As far as I understand this new gate will be further away from the rest of the ones so a plane can actually park without blocking other gates.
DeleteOnly one is inoperative, 27 and 28 can not be used at the same time if there is widebody on 28.
DeleteIn this expansion will be same thing with 28 and future 29 (dobuble tunnel gate wihich will be implemented on the west apron).
Ok, thank you for the explanation.
DeleteThis is terminal plan in phases:
Deletehttps://i0.wp.com/hajdasdoncic.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/radovi-faze-2.png?w=562
So not true.
DeleteIt plane is in gate 28 you can have A320 on 27. If there is 2nd wide-bodie it use 25 and than 26 can not be used. So in case 2nd wide-bodie is on terminal you can use:
21 A320
22 A320
23 A320
24 A320
25 777
26 blocked
27 A320
28 777
I hope they're gonna add smoking booth soon. The sign "coming soon" is standing there too long IMHO.
ReplyDeleteThey asked in the media one of the management guys recently and he also said "soon". Don't know why it is taking so long.
DeleteI've read it's being installed this month.
DeleteMaybe you should all think about quitting :)
DeleteNothing better than going out here in Australia and not having to go in a smoke filled room or bar or resteraunt. But than again, near $30 for a packet of cigarrrets would motivate many to quit.
Sorry about going way OT.
Good news. As for the hotel, I am not overly convinced it will happen anytime soon, especially since the state company is responsible for it.
ReplyDelete+1 agree. Hope it happens but not sure they will start construction next year.
DeleteZAG airport is booming and is currently the fastest growing airport in the wider region. Four million passengers in the next two years are a reality now.
ReplyDeleteI think ZAG is number one in terms of higher paying passengers in the Balkans. Ok, second after IST.
Not exactly. Istanbul, Ankara, Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia are all growing faster.
DeleteAnkara is not in the region, it's in deep Asia.
DeleteI am talking about the first two months of 2017.
You said the wider region. Also growth in what sense? Percentile growth is not representative because then you can say Pula is fastest growing because it had 600% growth.
DeleteWould be nice if someone provided us a list with how many passengers were added in the first two months by airports in the region.
DeleteThat wouod be pretty cool actually.
DeleteChrist almighty and the obsession with numbers.
DeleteIt is certainly NOT booming, but it's steadily on the rise. Some moderation would be appreciated.
I agree with Frishki that these comparisons are so unnecessary. First and foremost because you are comparing fundamentally different markets. Each has their own benefits and drawbacks.
Delete''I think ZAG is number one in terms of higher paying passengers in the Balkans. Ok, second after IST''..could you PLEASE provide us with ANY number or any DATA as a basis for your reasoning, both regarding ZAG and IST? As for 'booming'....I think you are really exaggerating; it is growing, but not exactly booming. Calm down a bit and for the love of God, please share the reasoning behind paying passenger level conclusion. Cheers (from Zagreb)!
DeleteI like that future expansion has been clearly planned and is in stages. The biggest expansion will be phase 2D (the last one) because they will add 4 gates with jet bridges. But this project is unlikely to start for another 15-20 years.
ReplyDeleteIs this expanding towards the east or west?
DeleteThese ones are on the east. There will be another 4 gates on west side - two for widebodies. The first one is being built next year like the article says. The other ones come in later phases.
DeleteThanks. So in total ZAG will have 16 air bridge gates when all phases are completed. And to think just a year ago there were none. Good work :)
DeleteHoping to see those air bridges full of aircraft and LCC, not only legacy.
DeleteI've used the airport several times now. It is incomparable to the old terminal in every way. But there still needs to be some improvements. Duty free shops close well before boarding for final flight from the airport begins, I still find the check in area a bit sterile which is not helped by huge empty spaces (where they are supposed to put more check in desks). Also they should have more staff at passport control. Everything else is good.
ReplyDeleteSo by 2020 both ZAG and LJU will have new terminals:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.exyuaviation.com/2018/01/ljubljana-airport-readies-for-new.html
It will be very interesting to see how both airports perform.
ZAG already has a new terminal ;)
DeleteYes, but it's small.
DeleteWhat does that mean "it's small"?
DeleteNew LJU airport terminal won't be bigger than ZAG, by far. ZAG is 65.860 square metres, LJU will be 22.000 square metres.
I think the ZAG terminal is one of the largest ones in ex-YU.
DeleteAlso I don't understand this constant comparisons between ZAG and LJU. I'm from neither country but ZAG is well ahead of LJU in all areas, which is normal. I don't see why some people are comparing the two all the time.
DeleteWell, LJU, given its size and population of the country has serious traffic. As yu can see, every year more and more new destinations are launched.
DeleteAnd in ZAG there aren't?
DeleteYes, but fewer.
DeleteNow that Adria finally got planes and put them to work, after a year of stagnation, you're splitting hairs with "yes, but fewer" comment? Damn dude, you must get off at decimals.
DeleteI am just saying that compared to other EU capitals, ZAG is receiving fewer, new destinations. Just look at BUD, OTP, SOF, even TLL which is the size of LJU.
DeleteBUD, OTP, SOF and TLL are a battleground between WIZZ and RYANAIR at the moment They try to squeeze one another out of the market and lowering fares to insane amounts means a huge pax influx for the airports. Lets see how this develops. The airpors are profiting now, but if it is a wise decision in the long run?
DeleteOh! So, this year we "only" got two new OU routes, one new Aegean and one new long haul route, but that is, I'm guessing - not enough. Sigh... Poor ZAG.
DeleteAegean is seasonal, that should be pointed out.
DeleteThey are mainly seasonal. Just open TLL wikipedia page for example and you will see what I am referring to.
DeleteZAG can do much more, that's all.
Any airport can do "much more". ZAG has a nice, organic grow based mostly on legacy airlines that bring in the cash for the airport that can use it for investing.
DeleteRight, so LCC never bring neither cash nor tourists nor do business men fly with Easyjet? Nor do cities open hotels or guesthouses. Being an expensive airport just makes the destination not so attractive.
DeleteWow. I guess if you'd have a business that you cashed out on, you'd bring your prices to dirt low, even though you could be making regular money, just to have - bigger attendance?
DeleteWith your logic then if an airport is all legacy then it has more "supremacy". I suggest you travel around a bit and start learning. LCC does not necessarily mean "dirt low" but rather lower cost, lower fare. Cappicci?
DeleteYou don't have to suggest me a thing, honey, I do travel quite a lot. Who said that the airport has to be ALL legacy? Is ZAG "all legacy"? Just because you want more LCC, airport certainly won't divert from their business model. You have options. Plenty of them. Go.
DeleteCappicci?
Good for you, but you are on "defensive mode" just when you hear LCC. This is not the first time I read your comments. Also no need to pretend to be a ZAG ambassador. Thank you "honey".
DeleteWhat "defensive mode"? I completely understand, not like some here, the business model that the airport owners are going for and I'd probably do the same: first I gain legacy and connectivity and then LCC. That doesn't mean I am a "ZAG ambassador". But one thing I am - I'm out.
DeleteCiao!
Yet again, this is not the first time you're out frishki. Please, learn to respect the others' opinion and do not attack people in this way. Have a nice weekend!
DeleteMr. frishki,
DeleteI admire your patience towards the trolls here. But you know that nothing's gonna stop them, right? ;)
Most LCCs pay fair share, there are few exceptions, Ryan Air and Wizz, they never pay their fair share, or landing rights. So all 3 major airports in Croatia don't want their business.
DeleteI'd love to see EasyJet, Vuling, Norwegian expand in Zagreb, let them base whole fleet of planes in Zagreb for all I care. I just don't want Wizz or Ryan air anywhere near, they destroy competition or sustainability.
Tourist will come to Zagreb, there's plenty of options, sure it would be nice if you can come to Zagreb for €35 return, but if you look around you can get decent deals, €80-120 returns to Zagreb are possible, just need to look longer term, like 3-4 months ahead.
https://www.skyscanner.net
Found flight in April for €127 return from Amsterdam.
Agree with Anon 8:23!
DeleteOkay, why on earth do you always have to mention FR and W6? There are plenty of other LCC's in Europe including Vueling, Volotea, Norwegian. It seems that ZAG fans just become obsessive with FR and W6, who by the way, made travel more accessible to many people, but this debate will last forever. You stick to your shiny, new terminal and keep hoping that EK survives with a healthy load factor throughout the whole year and maybe you get a double daily A380 service one day. Bravo Hrvatska!
DeleteIt's a local myth that LCCs such as Wizz Air or Ryanair don't pay their share. Let me remind you that as far as BEG goes, Wizz Air gets no preferential treatment and that they pay what others pay.
DeleteSame applies to major airports out there like ATH, VIE, FRA, WAW, BRU and so on.
These carriers knew they had to pay regular charges in Belgrade but just as well they knew there was no way in Hell they would be paying more than €3 in INI.
Obviously, there is a market in ZAG for them so the real question is why are they staying away. My guess is that the offer they got from the airport was not as good. Legacy carriers which are well-run have nothing to fear from LCCs. Aegean survived the Ryanair invasion while LH has added more flights to both BUD and SOF.
Only those who are mismanaged have something to fear.
Planning for the future. Good job.
ReplyDeleteWill the AC rouge flight result in 3 wide bodies being at the airport at the same time (with Transat and Emirates)?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. There will be 2 wide bodies at the same time.
DeleteAC Rouge will depart in the morning, before EK and AirTransat land on ZAG.
DeletePity :( would have been nice to see three big birds lined up at the airport at the same time.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing AC Rouge. Hope they extend flights into winter.
DeleteAC-OU cooperation in Croatia!
Deletehttps://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/277597/air-canada-expands-croatia-airlines-codeshare-routes-in-s18/
Croatia Airlines has been codesharing with Air Canada for years.
DeleteBut not on domestic routes!
DeleteActually there will be 3 widebodies in i ZAG at one time, as DHL is there almost always with 767
DeleteA DHL 767 was never in ZAG.
DeleteIts a 757
Yes of course, I never saw it with my own eyes and you are not troll and hater. Enjoy in your envy and misery
DeleteGood work ZAG.
ReplyDeleteGreat years ahead of Zagreb.
ReplyDeleteSeems that ZAG is on the right track but it should work on reducing seasonality and getting more airlines to fly year round.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should also fill the void left by Monarch and reduction of Croatia Airlines on the London-Zagreb route.
Delete@ 9.41
DeleteA lot of airlines especially * alliance ones on their flights to Zagreb rely on tourists going to the Croatian coast who make a one or two day break in the city. That's why seasonality is so high.
@9.46 it is being filled by easy from LJU. They are adding more flights.
DeleteCongrats.
ReplyDeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping they would use the old terminal for LCCs not cargo :(
ReplyDelete"Although this milestone is unlikely to be achieved in 2019" - is this the opinion of EX-YU Aviation?
ReplyDeleteOh come on. I'm from Zagreb and it is impossible that they will add 1,2 - 1,4 million passengers next year. Get real.
DeleteYes absolutely, why are you so aggressive? Just wanted to know if it is an official estimate of ZAG airport or the personal belief of the author.
DeleteZAG will reach 5 million maybe by 2021.
DeleteGreat news but I would like to see them extend the ramp area I front of the new terminal
ReplyDeleteGood that they are adding gate for wide bodies. Next year I expect that the Jin Air airline will begin scheduled flights from Seoul and that Air Transat will shift flights on Zagreb route from Toronto to Montreal
ReplyDeleteMaybe some longhaul from OU. Don't know what they are waiting for.
DeleteWhy should OU do the same mistake as JU?
DeleteI still don't understand why there is no LCC in ZGB?! Someone will say they can't pay, or they are competing with Croatia Airlines, but neither is true. LCC have they own market. I for example would NEVER fly with Croatia Airlines for vacations. I taking flix bus to Budapest and flying from there wherever I want for much cheaper price.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. ZGB can utilize old airport for LCC. This would make them some money too. I don't care if I will be transfered to the plane with or witout the bridge. Give me a good price and I will fly from ZGB.
DeleteWait until frishki reads your comment, Antonio.
DeleteJust go on internet and search for flights from major European cities to ZAG, you will see that the average rate is 200-250€ and that's a lot.
Yes and still ZAG manages a growth of 12%???? If it is soo expensive they would grow around 2%-3%. ZAG has no LCCs but annual growth of 10-15%.
DeleteCroatia is a big turist destination and we have more and more turist visitng. Also, ZGB didn't had not very successfull leadership before franchies arrived since traffic to ZGB is only 3 mil. Rhodes is a small island in Greece with 5 plus mil. passangers. If you take that i consideration, you will realized that growth of 12% is pretty low.
DeleteRhodos is an ISLAND. There is no other way of getting there except plane from Western Europe. A German or Austrian can go to ZAG or Croatia in generel by BUS, CAR, PLANE etc. I do not know ANY western EU Tourist, that goes to Rhodos by BUS or CAR except PLANE.
DeleteRhodos is an island with 90,000 people. Zagreb on the other hand is a capital city of Croatia (one of he most attractive destionation). My point is that 3 milion passsangers are way to low. Look at Budapest. How thay can make proffit not only by charging a lot, but also by getting as many passangers as possible hrough the airport.
DeleteYou can fly to ATH and then get a boat to Rhodes. Most local traffic to Greek islands I have heard is done with ferries.
DeleteHahahahahahahaha. Usually tourists heading to Rhodos fly to Antalya and take a car which the bring on the ferry and spend their holidays there.
DeleteLast Anon Antalya is nowhere near Rhodes.
DeleteGuys, you cannot compare RHO with ZGB...come on, it's Friday I know but this the same discussion here a couple of months comparing DBV with ATH.
DeleteGreece is Greece and Croatia is Croatia.
Does DBV have more potential compared to seasonal ZGB? Yes. But it's the capital.
Will BWK surpass the smaller boys one day? Yes. But the runway is too short.
Just relax and don't get obsessed with numbers.
The special sport of compering apples and oranges is killing me...
DeleteRIX has more passengers than ZAG because its management is nore realistic when it comes to charges and BT is no OU.
DeleteIt's all about numbers.
DeleteWe are comparing airports and number of passangers. We are not comparing apples and oranges by any chance.
DeleteMjeraci opet jasu....
DeleteI mean come on, even smaller EU capitals are catching up with ZGB.
DeleteLook at the Baltic capitals, BTS, MLA, LCA, even neighbouring LJU is gearing up. But anyway....
Just a small correction, LCA had 7,734,290 passengers last year so it's not really catching up in this case.
DeleteI have flowen BDP to Tel Aviv and back for 83 euros. Can I do that from ZGB?? No chance. haha
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I am always very happy about the approach ZAG is taking :) 15% annual growth with Legacies, not bad ;)
DeleteZGB is nothing but an expensive airport like Monaco :( what a pity.
DeleteZAG is as expensive as LJU or BEG, but apparently a lot of people can't stand the rise of ZAG.
DeleteNevertheless, this is another indicator proving that ZAG is on the right track!
I doubt it's as expensive as BEG and LJU because then Wizz Air or easyJet would be flying there.
DeleteZagreb sould have between 6-8 milion passangers per year. This would kill CA, but who cares, thay are expensive anyways. GIVE US SOME LCC!!!
DeleteCongrats Zagreb!Seems that only SJJ will remain the smallest and the worst airport in Ex-Yu (regarding capital cities).Although terminal expansion is planned,it will have only 4 bridges after completition.
ReplyDeleteThat will be appropriate for the time being, so do not be worried.
DeleteCool. If they are planning to build an additional widebody gate as early as next year could it be they are expecting more long-haul service in near future?
ReplyDeleteIt is getting already congested at times!
DeleteThat's great. I would prefer it though if they extended the entire ramp towards the west with adding air bridges to all 12 gates. By the end of next year ZAG will have around 4 million pax and likely an additional, possibly year round long haul service. It's fairly obvious that just one more widebody will cause chaos in the peak season. The apron (not the terminal building itself) is already too small.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, great job Zagreb! The most improved airport in Europe for 2017!!
Just to add..I see people keep on harping on LCCs. Have some patience. The management is doing a great job and has a clear, clever, thought out strategy. Have in mind that they've only been properly operating the airport for a year. A single year!
Secondly, it makes sense to build a premium image for the main, capital city airport of a country. It's standard brand making. And it will ultimately benefit everyone. It makes sense to maximize the profits at an expense of higher passenger numbers, achieved by the cheapest, lowest tier of LCCs one can get. Especially when there's absolutely no need. The airport is growing at a healthy rate even without the cheapest low costs. And more to the point the growth rate is increasing. It's already in the double digits. That's rare, particularly in a country such as Croatia, with several other airports with similar, or even higher growth.
Be sure, that in the future, the carriers you manage to attract will most certainly, 100% guaranteed, not going to be motivated to arrive based on your pax numbers. Especially not those achieved by Wizz Air, Ryanair and the like. Quite the opposite.
Another thing: fares will be dropping and have been dropping even by new legacy carriers arriving. That much should be obvious. On top of that it is way more important to further focus on improving the quality of service and expanding the offer in and around the location. I can finally see some real improvement in that regard every time I fly in.
And in the end the LCCs will come, but on your own terms, not on theirs. And they'll be better than the ones you'd otherwise get.
As for those who have no patience...no problem. Time itself is money. But if you find it worthed to travel several hours to Budapest, then wait there another 2 hours, with all the expenses until that point, just so you'd save 50 euros maybe...go ahead. You certainly won't save much more than that, as you could do that only on long haul flights and the intercontinental offer from Budapest isn't neither especially broader, nor cheaper than that from Zagreb.