Croatia to invest over €132 million in airport development
Croatia plans to invest over 132.3 million euros into the development of its airport infrastructure, which will be largely financed through European Union funds allocated to the country in order to mitigate the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, amounting to over 22 billion euros. “Following the opening of new passenger terminals in Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, we will continue investing in the modernisation and expansion of airports in Croatia. In the coming period, we expect a combined investment of over 132.3 million euros into Croatia’s air transport sector. The majority of the funds will be used for the overhaul and expansion of Zadar Airport’s runway and apron, as well as the modernisation of Osijek and Rijeka airports and the expansion of Mali Lošinj Airport”, the Ministry for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure said.
Last year, Zadar Airport unveiled its expansion plans which envisage a new terminal, and the extension of its runway by 700 metres. The terminal would boast nine gates, a baggage sorting facility, two baggage carrousels and the capacity to seat 1.479 people. The project has been valued at seventy million euros. Osijek Airport foresees the reconstruction of its terminal through the reorganisation of its existing facility, improvement of energy efficiency in order to reduce maintenance costs, the segregation of domestic and international passengers, as well as the purchase of de-icing equipment. On the other hand, Rijeka Airport plans to expand the outer surfaces of its terminal building and the technical block.
According to Oxford Economics, airlines, airport operators, airport on-site enterprises (restaurants and retail), aircraft manufacturers, and air navigation service providers employ 10.000 people in Croatia. In addition, by buying goods and services from local suppliers the sector supports another 3.000 jobs. On top of this, the sector is estimated to support a further 3.000 jobs through the wages it pays its employees, some or all of which are subsequently spent on consumer goods and services. Foreign tourists arriving by air to Croatia, who spend their money in the local economy, are estimated to support an additional 19.000 jobs. In total 35.000 jobs are supported by air transport and tourists arriving by air. In total, 2.2% of the country’s GDP was supported by inputs to the air transport sector and foreign tourists arriving by air prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
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