Belgrade Airport to overhaul runway and terminals by 2024
The new operator of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport will carry out a number of infrastructure developments by 2024, valued at over half a billion euros. According to the Serbian government, the concession agreement, which is yet to be made public, obligates VINCI to reconstruct the existing runway, build a temporary runway, overhaul the apron, build new taxiways, including rapid-exit taxiways, which permit aircraft to vacate the runway at high speeds, renovate and expand the airport's two terminals and improve overall services and facilities. While the overhaul program will increase the airport’s capacity, the modernisation will also make operations more environmentally friendly. All of the aforementioned projects must be completed within the first five years of the takeover. VINCI is set to immediately reorganise and optimise passenger flows by expanding retail areas inside the terminal buildings.
VINCI is also expected to build a new terminal building sometime over the next two decades. Furthermore, it will be required to grow passenger numbers to fifteen million per year by the end of 2043 and increase aircraft operations to 120.000. The operator estimates that Belgrade will hit seven million passengers by 2024 at the latest and ten million by 2030. The French concessionaire noted it has an "energetic investment plan" in place for Belgrade Airport, which includes, "developing a very strong airline marketing policy". It added, "We will work very hard with other airlines to create routes which develops connectivity for the country and the city and brings many new visitors. VINCI Airports understands their [airline's] needs and perspectives and provides data, forecasts and analysis to let them make enlightened decisions. VINCI Airports teams work tirelessly to encourage airlines to open up new routes and works with local economic stakeholders and travel companies to guarantee their success".
According to the company, the investment and modernisation program aims at increasing the airport’s role in the region. VINCI made an up-front payment of 501 million euros for the 25-year concession last week. It will also pay an annual concession fee of between 4.4 and 15.1 million euros, which will vary depending on the annual profit and the percentage payable to the state. The International Finance Corporation, which is providing part of the financing, said, “We are delighted to support the entry of a global leader in airport operation to Serbia, helping Nikola Tesla Airport reach its full potential for all stakeholders. This is the first airport concession in the country and we hope it will serve as a model for how the private sector can deliver efficient solutions in infrastructure in the region” . Another partner, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, noted, “This is Serbia’s first large infrastructure concession and we are delighted to support its financing, together with other international partners. The competitive, transparent and sound process which is at the heart of this project will also be the foundation of its success". Belgrade Airport stocks on the Belgrade Stock Exchange reached their highest value yesterday since they began trading in 2011.
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