Split becomes fastest growing airport in former Yugoslavia
Split Airport was the former Yugoslavia's fastest growing in 2018, adding an extra 305.891 passengers compared to the year before. Its General Manager, Lukša Novak, has said the airport has never been closer to catching up to the country's busiest in Zagreb as it welcomed a record 3.124.067 travellers in 2018, an increase of 10.9% year-on-year. It was the busiest in the former Yugoslavia in July, and ahead of Zagreb for half a year, reducing the difference between the two to 212.243 passengers. Jointly, Croatia's three busiest airport's - Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik - handled a record 8.999.789 passengers in 2018, or an additional 766.501 travellers on the year before.
Split Airport passenger numbers 2018
| Month | PAX | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| JAN | 33.699 | ▲ 10.8 |
| FEB | 30.629 | ▲ 28.0 |
| MAR | 53.165 | ▲ 57.2 |
| APR | 124.352 | ▲ 0.9 |
| MAY | 304.135 | ▲ 18.1 |
| JUN | 474.646 | ▲ 17.6 |
| JUL | 695.506 | ▲ 5.9 |
| AUG | 627.846 | ▲ 5.7 |
| SEP | 455.595 | ▲ 8.2 |
| OCT | 225.170 | ▲ 13.6 |
| NOV | 54.856 | ▲ 38.7 |
| DEC | 44.072 | ▲ 21.9 |
Mr Novak previously conceded that Split Airport's extreme seasonality may prevent it from overtaking Croatia's main hub, but added that it was not an impossible task. "Almost half of our annual traffic is achieved during July and August. During the four summer months we have the most passenger traffic in the country. We are extremely seasonal in character but when looking at it on a annual level we are in second place and have never been closer to Zagreb", the General Manager said. He added, "In the aviation sector, 5% - 7% passenger growth on an annual basis is the norm. If you are lucky enough, you can double your numbers in about fifteen years. We have managed to achieve that in just six years, and that is a truly amazing feat". In addition, Split Airport remains Croatia's most profitable. "The substantial passenger growth and the control of our expenditures has resulted in this level of profitability. We have not altered our fees over the past ten years as we do not want to jeopardise our growth with our pricing. I think this has proved worthwhile", Mr Novak said.
 |
| Split Airport's new terminal under construction |
Work on Split Airport's much needed new terminal building, which will ease congestion, is nearing completion. The 59.7 million euro project includes a new car park, bus terminal and baggage handling system. It will feature thirty check-in desks, six gates, five carousels, restaurants, an observation deck and a business class lounge. Passengers are expected to start using the new facility from July. "We plan to make the move from the old to the new terminal during the winter because a lot of complex equipment needs to be tested, which is better done during the slower months", the airport's Assistant Director, Pero Bilas, said previously. General Manager Novak explained, "This is a complex investment taking place over an area of almost 80.000 square metres, with the terminal taking up 35.000 square metres. Upon completion, the entire terminal complex will spread over 48.000 square metres, which is comparable to our counterparts in Zagreb and Dubrovnik".
As contraction of Split's new terminal nears completion, the airport is turning its attention to easing seasonality. "We need attractions which are not only of interest to locals, but must be competitive with European metropolises because we need to measure up to them. This is not easy or cheap and it requires time, energy and vision. There are some good developments but we have to work on creating an appealing offer for tourists to come outside of the peak season and then we will have more aircraft arriving in the winter", the General Manager said. He added, "Carriers say they don't want to fly to a destination where they register fantastic results between April and October, which then have to cover losses generated over the winter. They want certainty and that is why there are so many airlines in Split in summer and few in winter". However, Mr Novak noted that the peak travel season has been extended at the airport and now lasts longer than before. A number of new carriers will introduce flights to Croatia's second largest city this year, including Air France, British Airways, Luxair, Ryanair and Laudamotion.
0 Response to "Split becomes fastest growing airport in former Yugoslavia"
Post a Comment