Belgrade Airport opening expanded terminal
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport will tomorrow open the first phase of its new expanded terminal building to passengers, following just over two years of construction. This morning, members of the press will have the opportunity to tour the new facility with the airport’s General Manager, Francois Berisot, and the airport’s Head of Development, Petar Novaković, before it enters into commercial use on Wednesday. The expanded C concourse adds eight new airbridge gates and five bus gates to the airport. Although unnoticeable to travellers walking its corridors, the extension is not completely aligned with the rest of Terminal 2, Instead, the positioning of the new building allows for greater apron space, and in turn, enables the new gates to handle wide-body aircraft, which is in line with operator VINCI’s hub strategy for Belgrade.
Apart from featuring new food and beverage facilities, as well as a shopping area, the extended terminal also boasts an additional floor, which is now also being constructed above the rest of the Terminal 1 and 2 buildings. The five-metre-wide corridor will be used to separate departing and arriving passengers. Those arriving from a flight will enter the jet bridge and go up to the arrival gallery, from which they will reach a central transfer zone, a chimney-like structure with escalators going down to the first level, which will be used by transfer passengers (corresponding to departure level), while those leaving the airport will go down to the baggage reclaim area and arrival hall.
Work will now begin on the second phase of the expansion of the C pier, which will include the construction of an additional four airbridge gates. VINCI is also continuing construction of the new access plateau in front of the terminal buildings, a new car park, expansion of the airport’s ground floor which will feature 100 check-in desks, as well as new restaurants, bars and shops. In addition, work is also ongoing on the construction of a new inserted runway, overhaul of the taxiways, a new de-icing platform, as well as a wastewater treatment plant, while new technology has been acquired for security and baggage sorting. The construction of the airport’s new control tower is also nearing completion. The airport has already completed work on a new long-stay car park, solid waste processing plant, solar power plant, new aprons and a new power plant.
The entire multi-million-euro airport expansion project will be completed by 2025, although the bulk of the work will be finalised next year. It marks the biggest investment and overhaul of the airport’s facilities since the construction of the Terminal 2 building between 1979 and 1981.
This article will be updated throughout the day with additional information and photos. Videos from the expanded terminal can be viewed in the stories section on EX-YU Aviation News’ Instagram page from 10.30 CEST onwards
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