Belgrade Airport expansion masterplan unveiled

The largest development project in Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport’s history, headed by operator VINCI and its partners, is under way with the aim of creating a “future hub in South-eastern Europe”. More than 730 million euros are being invested over the 25-year concession period to raise the airport's quality of service. The majority of the work is currently in full swing, with construction on schedule despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The first full renderings of the completed masterplan have now been unveiled, including the phase 2025 (phase one) and phase 2030 (phase two), although the majority of the work will be completed by the end of 2023. The first phase includes the addition of an arrivals gallery on the roof of the existing terminal, the construction of a new boarding pier with three Multiple Apron Ramp System (MARS) contact stands and the refurbishment of the existing facility with a new central security screening area. The second phase is a major extension of the passenger processing areas such as check-in, security screening, duty free and baggage delivery which will require the redesign of the access roads.

Commenting on the airport’s development, its General Manager, Francois Berisot, said, “Modernisation works, carried out by VINCI Construction Grands Projects through its subsidiary VINCI Terna Construction, have been ongoing without major disruptions, even during the state of emergency in 2020, in accordance with all the recommendations and prescribed preventative health and safety measures. Further works are being carried out in parallel at several locations, which include the expansion of the terminal, a new secondary runway and additional taxiways, additional aircraft positions for parking and for de-/anti-icing winter operations, additional car parking spaces and new access roads. While construction of a new bus gate has already been completed, the majority of works will be carried out within the next three years. They will increase the airport’s capacity and improve the comfort and experience of our passengers and all users of the airport”. Mr Berisot added, “We recently completed works on the upgrade and modernisation of the entire central area on the boarding level within the terminal. The new area includes an expanded and modernised duty-free shop, as well as the Tesla Square, which now offers a relaxation zone and a variety of new commercial content. Passengers can already experience continuous improvements in comfort and in the look and feel of the airport”.

The construction of the inserted runway is currently in full swing. It will replace the existing one during its upcoming overhaul, after which the inserted runway will be used as a parallel taxiway and backup runway if the need arises. The inserted runway is being built in close proximity to the existing one (190 metres apart). As a result, extremely precise working procedures have been implemented in agreement with the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate to ensure that work can take place without disrupting air traffic. The overhaul of the existing main runway will commence upon the completion of the inserted runway. The inserted runway is expected to be completed in October or November of next year at the latest. It will be linked to the runway through a new system of taxiways, including four rapid exit taxiways (RETs). The current runway lighting systems will be replaced with LED lighting. The Serbian government requested for the construction of the inserted runway as part of the terms of the concession.

Another development taking place is the construction of apron E, located across from the cargo terminal. It is the first phase of the apron extension boasting nearly 25.000 square metres. Work began exactly a year ago and its extension will allow for the upgrade and optimisation of aircraft handling capacities at remote stands, the handling of three aircraft with a wingspan of up to 36 metres, an internal road, as well as ground handling equipment areas. The apron has its own lighting system and retention for drainage.

The construction of a new energy plant for the production and distribution of heat and electricity is underway, which will switch from heavy fuels to more environmentally efficient energy sources and reduce emissions. A 1MW solar farm, composed of 3.000 photovoltaic modules, will also be installed this year and will be able to supply the airport with around 1.200.000 kWh of clean energy per year, which is equivalent to the consumption of eighty households. This sustainable project will reduce 875 tons of CO2 per year from the airport’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, work on the construction of new solid waste processing plants in the airport’s public and airside area are on the way, as well as a wastewater treatment plant.

Belgrade Airport has also completed work on a remote parking facility located east of the existing cargo terminal. The remote car park stretches over 36.400 square metres and provides additional parking capacity for passengers (mid and long-term stay), rent-a-car, valet parking and staff parking. Furthermore, it will accommodate taxi drivers who will then be called up to the terminal building upon the arrival of incoming passengers. The car park has the capacity for some 1.500 vehicles, of which 809 will be reserved for travellers, 330 for staff, 265 for rent-a-car and 109 for taxis. It is equipped with lighting, video surveillance, electric vehicle charging stations, car wash, as well as a modern access control system. Passengers who park their cars here will be transported to the terminal building by the airport shuttle bus which will be circulating between the terminal and car park. It will be opened once passenger traffic, currently impacted by Covid-19, begins to pick up and work on the curbside area in front of the terminal begins.

The project also includes the construction of a new firefighting station, airport administration building (NAAB) and maintenance workshops. The new administration building will be a five-story structure with a basement level composed of offices and services for the airport administrative staff.

VINCI experienced some initial difficulty with the entire project as it needed to obtain precise information on the state of existing infrastructure both for the terminal and for the existing runway. The current runway dates from the 1960s, and underwent a number of surface overhauls up to 2005. Additionally, during the study and project phases, night tests were carried out. “A precise knowledge of the condition of existing infrastructure is vitally important, as this affects the structuring of our redevelopment work. The Building Information Modelling method (BIM) was very useful for the design and phasing of terminal works”, VINCI said. It added, “These works are also characterised by exacting environmental requirements. The excess soil generated by excavations for the new runway will be reused for landscaping on the airport site, thus minimising the flow of heavy goods vehicles”.