EX-YU airports launch major projects

Following the lead of Zagreb and Dubrovnik, which will open their new passenger terminals next year, a number of other airports across the former Yugoslavia are investing heavily in upgrading their infrastructure. They include Belgrade, Split, Ljubljana, Tivat, Tuzla, Mostar and Banja Luka. The scope of the planned upgrades include new terminal buildings, the overhaul and expansion of existing facilities, as well as the extension of runways and technology upgrades (click photos/visuals to enlarge).

Belgrade Airport launched the reconstruction of its Terminal 1 building last week, which includes expanding capacity, the addition of new commercial space and a new automated baggage sorting facility. Furthermore, plans have also been made to reopen the observation deck which has been closed for decades. As part of the expansion, the airport will feature 33 new check-in desks, five of which will be used for self check-in purposes. Work is expected to be completed by the start of the 2017 summer season.

     

Split Airport is finally expected to begin work on its much-delayed new terminal building next year. Work on the first phase of the project should be completed in the autumn of 2018, while the second phase is expected to be concluded in the summer of 2019. Last week, Split Airport inked an agreement with Kamgrad, Viaduct, and KFK Tehnika to build the new facility. The expansion will increase Split’s annual capacity to 3.5 million passengers, while the terminal should stretch over 34.500 square metres. Furthermore, the car park and bus area will be expanded by 35.500 square metres. The project is valued at 59.3 million euros.

   

The relocation of a 2.3 kilometre stretch of road, which will allow for the expansion of Ljubljana Airport's infrastructure north of the runway has begun. The airport's long-term development plan involves the construction of a second terminal, a hotel, office space, commercial premises and a logistics services centre, to be known as Aeropolis. The project will radically change the appearance of the airport and will involve the construction of a rail link to the city in subsequent phases. Ljubljana Airport's operator, Fraport, has endorsed the Aeropolis development project and believes work could be completed by 2035. The relocation of the road, valued at 2.5 million euros, will be completed next year. Ljubljana Airport has begun upgrading its existing terminal building with the refurbishment to be carried out in several phases, until its completion in 2018.

 

The construction of Tivat Airport's new multi million euro terminal has been delayed once again. Airports of Montenegro, which runs Tivat Airport, last month selected the design of the new facility, which will stretch over 12.000 square metres and will be linked to the existing terminal. The project also involves the construction of new taxiways and the expansion of the apron, which will have the capacity to handle nine aircraft, up from the current seven. Construction of the new terminal will take eighteen months. However, Tivat Airport is yet to begin tendering procedures to select contractors and finalise a loan with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The project is valued at 32 million euros.

     

Tuzla Airport has begun work on the two million euro expansion of its terminal building. The added capacity will enable the airport to handle 800 passengers per hour, up from the current 400. Furthermore, the new-look terminal will stretch over an area of 4.915 square metres, whereas the current facility covers 2.971 square metres. The airport, which serves as a base for Wizz Air, is expected to handle some 305.000 passengers this year, while between 500.000 - 600.000 travellers are estimated to pass through its doors in 2017. The expansion project is to be completed by April next year.

   

The overhaul of Mostar Airport's passenger terminal has begun with work expected to be completed by the end of the month. Valued at 250.000 euros, the reconstruction is being funded from the European Union's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). "The terminal building will have significantly greater capacity than before which will speed up passenger flow", Marko Djuzel, the head of Traffic and Security at Mostar Airport, said recently. Furthermore, funds are being invested in new equipment. The Federation government of Bosnia and Herzegovina recently approved fifteen million euros for the development of Mostar Airport between 2017 and 2019.

   

Banja Luka Airport will expand its terminal and build a new cargo facility in a bid to boost its passenger and storage capacity. The 3.1 million euro project will be carried out over a six to nine-month period and will include the expansion of the existing terminal building by 397 square metres and the construction of a new cargo storage depot, which will stretch over 1.360 metres. Work is expected to commence next year.

   

A number of other airports are in the process of planning their expansion. In Sarajevo, work will begin on overhauling the runway and taxiways next year. The airport is also considering whether to build a new terminal or expand the existing facility. Furthermore, a VIP lounge, car park, office building for staff and support services, as well as an expansion of the apron are all planned. Pristina Airport will have its runway and taxiways extended, as well as its ILS (instrument landing system) upgraded. The runway will be extended from the current 2.560 metres to 3.000 metres. The investment is valued at thirty million euros, although no firm timeframe has been given as to when the work could begin. Meanwhile, Niš Airport is also set to start work on the expansion of its terminal next year.