Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has begun preparatory work for the expansion of its terminal building. The airport will add a new section to the C wing of its terminal, which will feature three additional gates and three new passenger boarding bridges, along with four new aircraft stands designed for narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The expanded area, which will add 5.350 square metres to the terminal, will be equipped with four new moving walkways, two for departing passengers on the first floor and two for arrivals on the second. Construction is planned to last thirteen months, after which the total number of gates will increase from 33 to 36.
Commenting on the project, Belgrade Airport’s CEO, Chivoine Rem, said, “We continue to invest in the development of Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport under VINCI Airports’ management, strengthening our position as a regional hub in Southeast Europe. We are proud that both passengers and airlines have recognised our efforts, making us one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe in terms of traffic. During the past summer season, flights from Belgrade operated to a record 116 destinations, and in August the airport handled over one million passengers in a single month for the first time in its history”.
The latest terminal expansion follows several years of major development. Twelve new gates and eleven aircraft stands have been built. The number of car parking spaces have been doubled and 29 new check-in counters added, bringing the total to ninety. A centralised security checkpoint has been introduced, along with nine new passport control desks and automated e-gates for both departing and arriving passengers. The airport now operates a fully reconstructed main runway and a new parallel taxiway, which can also serve as a runway. Four rapid-exit taxiways, new aprons, a new de-icing platform, an energy plant, solar plant, solid waste treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant have also been added.
Work on the modernisation and upgrade of the existing terminal is also ongoing. The airport has recently completed work on new commercial space, located in the baggage claim area (pictured below). Furthermore, new office space, likely to house rent-a-car agencies, has been built in the arrivals hall. Belgrade Airport also plans to expand the turnaround area on runway 12L/30R and has submitted a request to the competent ministry to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required for the project.
