Infrastructure developments at several airports across the former Yugoslavia are continuing despite the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Work is ongoing in Ljubljana, Belgrade and Sarajevo.
Construction of Ljubljana Airport’s new terminal (pictured above) is progressing with work expected to be completed by the end of the year. Testing of the new terminal and its equipment is scheduled to commence in January 2021, while its opening is set to take place in June that same year, just ahead of Slovenia's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins in July. Stretching over 10.000 square metres, the new terminal will feature a new departures hall with 22 check-in counters, five security lanes, three baggage carousels, a new baggage sorting facility, a large duty free shop, a new premium lounge, as well as new food and beverage facilities. The existing passenger terminal, which stretches over 13.000 square metres, will also be partially renovated. The two facilities will then be joined to form a single functioning unit. The new terminal will be a spacious fusion of concrete, wood and glass, reflecting the nearby Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The Slovenian government has noted that work on major construction sites will continue despite the current pandemic.
Work on several projects in and around Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport are continuing. They include the expansion of the C concourse departures area (pictured above), the construction of two new A concourse bus gates, which are to be completed during the spring, the expansion of the arrivals area and the construction of a new control tower. The French industrial company Lafarge announced yesterday it would soon begin work on the airport’s new taxiways for which it will use a new premium range of ready-mix concrete which is more durable. The Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, noted that all ongoing infrastructure projects in the country are progressing according to schedule and there would be no delays or work stoppages. However, airport operator VINCI warned that “a plan to reduce operating expenses and defer investments is currently being implemented across all airports in compliance with contractual and aeronautical obligations and government decisions”. It added that while major projects have been halted in France, progress is being made at other locations. “Despite significant logistical difficulties, it has been possible to maintain business activity in many countries, in compliance with health measures in force. That is particularly the case in Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, along with certain European countries and US states”, VINCI said.
In Sarajevo, construction of the airport’s new terminal building is advancing with work scheduled for completion this autumn and its opening planned for November or December of this year. The new facility, which will spread over 10.000 square metres, will feature twelve check-in desks, five gates and one air bridge. It will be linked to the existing terminal to form a single functioning unit with the capacity to handle two million passengers per year. Work has also moved landside (pictured above) with the construction of a canopy and a new access road, to be located in front of the terminals.
I'm really happy to read some good news for a change
ReplyDeleteNice. So it seems BEG will get an extra floor above the terminals. Presumably to separate arriving/departing passengers.
ReplyDeleteIs there a deadline when it's supposed to be finished?
DeleteThey said all major work, which includes the inserted runway should be done within 5 years.
DeleteIt's interesting that now we are hearing about two bus gates in the A terminal part. Is that in addition to the one in the C area? So Belgrade might end up having 4 bus gates in the end. I suppose C7 will be turned into a regular gate with an airbridge.
DeleteThe extra bus gates were announced in the last update about BEG work here. BEG already has two bus gates at A concourse (across from A4 and down the stairs). These are being made across A7 because they will close a big part of the C gates this summer so they can do the expansion work.
DeleteSo that means that they are adding two new bus gates in addition to the ones they have in the A terminal?
DeleteYes
DeleteThat's cool, those bus gates are needed especially as JU keeps on adding more ATRs.
DeleteThere is a high probability there will be new C bus gates. They are extending the entire C building. Currently under the C gates there is the VIP lounge. So since they are extending the C level further they are going to have to make something on the ground level there too.
DeleteIt's possible that the VIP lounge will be moved towards the end of the C building, while the current area will be turned into the expanded arrivals area.
DeleteLooking good
ReplyDeleteThe terminal in Ljubljana has been developing quickly.
ReplyDeleteAnd the airport surroundings are really stunning. I think Fraport will do a great job, the same they did with VAR and BOJ in 2013.
DeleteThose surroundings really do look beautiful and its nice they will try to incorporate the look of the building with the area around it.
DeleteIf you look at the renders, it's a simple design and looks a bit Scandinavian to me but I really like it.
DeleteDo you have the renders?
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/07/photos-ljubljana-airports-new-terminal.html
DeleteThanks
DeleteHope it pays off.
ReplyDeleteOf course it will
DeleteWhy wouldn't it?
DeleteIt's good to see this development and also some optimism for future.
ReplyDeleteIf the render is accurate, there should be 5 new gates on the C concourse in BEG.
ReplyDeleteThat would mean 20 in total right?
DeleteYes but one will have two jet bridges.
DeleteRenders of Belgrade airport have not always been accurate but this one shows 17 jet bridges at C concourse, 12 gates with double jet bridges and 5 gates with single bridges. Last gate seems to show C17 painted on it. In total BEG would have current A concourse with 10 jet bridges plus 17 at C side for a total of 27 jet bridges plus at least 4 bus gates.
DeleteThat looks EXACTLY like the keyplan leaked about two years ago, one with the black background and white/orange content. T2 extension and new "diagonal" entrance is finally visible.
DeleteVery nice work. All three
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us updated.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sarajevo. Looking forward to seeing the new terminal.
ReplyDeleteRunway work at SJJ is really important. Perhaps they could have used this down time to do something about it.
DeleteThey still need the runway for humanitarian and repatriation flights.
DeleteThey should renovate the runway now instead of building the stupid inserted runway in the middle of the summer.
DeleteSJJ isn't building an inserted runway. If you are referring to BEG the runaway is in use.
DeleteI was referring to BEG. They can switch the cargo flights to Batajnica or to Nis.
DeleteThey cannot. Storage facilities for medical equipment is in Belgrade, there is no equipment to offload cargo of this type in Nis and Batajnica and neither are there enoguh people.
DeleteIf they could move equipment at various airports of the world, e.g. new Istanbul, sure they also could do it here. Problem is probably more to speed up the new projects, tenders, get construction companies and workers organised...
DeleteSure all airports and many other sectors could use this standstill period better. Some are lucky to have acted fast and got most out of it.
I'm glad none of these have been stopped.
ReplyDeleteNice! Great to see so many infrastructure developments.
ReplyDeleteAll of them look quite modest in my opinion which is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteNice change compared to the megalomania that's happening often in our area.
DeleteGreat to see BEG expand current infrastructure before building a new and expensive terminal building. It's for sure a wiser and more cautious approach. Current facilities were really not enough and they were limiting the airport's potential.
ReplyDeleteAgree. I think it is a well thought out expansion.
DeleteThey should renovate the runway now instead of building the stupid useless inserted runway in the middle of the summer.
DeleteInserted runway is not useless at all. Runway cannot be renovated in less than a month. The runway is very much in use on a daily basis.
DeleteSo by the end of the year both LJU and SJJ should have their new terminals completed?
ReplyDeleteYep.
DeleteInteresting to see Adria planes still parked at Ljubljana Airport.
ReplyDeleteThere are no takers.
DeleteAirSerbia should take them, but CORONA
DeleteLJU will have 10 bridges??
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that?
Deletethe render
DeleteI didn't notice that on the renders.
DeleteNo, only one avio-bridge will be added - 5 in total.
Deletethanks. sounds more reasonable. other will be too exsessive
DeleteTill most airlines not in service, is really good time to update construction and enlarge airports. Tourism and efficient life
ReplyDeletecan not exist with out comercial aviation. Tht is way to be redy to very near future. South East Europe most need to up grading. Happy...
Rodney. 😀
Great. I look forward to this being completed. Also we finally get confirmation that a third level is being built.
ReplyDeleteWill they renovate the current terminal in Sarajevo when they finish the new/expanded part?
ReplyDeleteIt's in good shape actually. Not much need to be renovated.
Delete2021 will be the year of Slovenia....new terminal, more destinations and traffic recovery.
ReplyDeleteIt is also worth mentioning that the Slovene passport is now the 18th most powerful in the world (tied with Iceland & Latvia) meaning more passengers will be flying in/out of LJU!
Great to hear this. Impressive that Slovene passport is 18th in the world. Hope this translates to more fights in the future.
DeleteAre there re-branded AirSerbia planes on render no.2?
ReplyDeleteRe-branded AirSerbia planes on render?
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a double stripe on the top of the planes near the front, why?
DeleteIt is good that these projects were already under construction before Corona started, otherwise I think they would have been postponed for a few years. As someone said earlier, good to see some positive movements at ex-yu airports.
ReplyDeleteAfter these renovations which airports are most in need of renovation / expansion?
INI - fo sho.
DeleteAll of Fraports airports are closed (their stock did fall from 80 to 40.).
ReplyDeleteAirport LJU is losing money, not expected to go back to profit till 2021 and is investing in new terminal.
Hope they have enough cash reserves to finance all the airports in their possession.
It looks like they like Lufthansa will be forced in tough decisions.
I heard LH is getting rid of some airplanes. Might be an opportunity for JU to get a good price for another wide-body for YYZ or China?
Delete