Belgrade Airport sees January rebound as expansion advances
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport saw its passenger numbers bounce back during the first month of the year, handling almost two and a half times more travellers than in January 2021, however, figures were still down 31% on the pre-pandemic 2019. The airport welcomed just over 239.000 passengers last month. Commercial aircraft movements reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels and were up 89% on last year. The figures were achieved despite a number of countries reintroducing travel bans and entry restrictions for Serbian nationals last month due to surging coronavirus cases. The airport, which handled 3.286.295 passengers in 2021, previously estimated it would welcome five million travellers this year, while pre-pandemic passenger numbers would be achieved in 2023.
Seat capacity for the coming summer season indicates Belgrade Airport is approaching pre-pandemic levels. At this point, data shows the airport will offer more capacity this year to several markets compared to the pre-Covid 2019. These include Germany, Turkey, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, the United Arab Emirates and Spain. This summer season will see Air Serbia significantly expand its route network while foreign carriers will also be adding flights. They include Aegean Airlines, Eurowings and Wizz Air, which will be introducing new routes, while others, such as Turkish Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines and Flydubai, will increase frequencies on existing services. Furthermore, Luxair, AnadoluJet, Eurowings, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and KLM are set to operate their first full summer in Belgrade.
The traffic recovery is taking place against the backdrop of a comprehensive expansion of the airport’s infrastructure. “The most important work includes the expansion of the existing terminal, the inserted runway, additional aircraft parking, new de-icing platforms and car parks”, the airport said, adding that with the opening of the first phase of the newly expanded C pier, which is expected in the coming months, it will boast eight new gates with boarding bridges and five new bus gates. The airport is also in the process of finalising work on central security screening, which will eliminate individual security checks at each gate. New screening equipment manufactured by Spain’s Detektin has arrived and is being installed for deployment in April. It will be used at the new cetralised security check. Furthermore, the construction of a third floor, which currently spans across the extended C pier as well as part of the A pier, is now progressing above the original C pier building. Work on the expansion of the airport’s ground floor is also in full swing. Upon its completion, it will boast 100 check-in desks, new restaurants, bars and shops.
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