Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has formally opened its new runway today, marking the completion of one of the major infrastructure projects undertaken by operator VINCI since taking over the concession in late 2018. The opening ceremony was attended by Belgrade Airport’s General Manager, Francois Berisot, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, the Ambassador of France to Serbia, Pierre Cochard, representatives from Air Serbia, Serbia's Civil Aviation Directorate and the Serbia and Montenegro Air Services Agency. The new 12R/30L runway is 3.500-metres long and sixty metres wide, It features a flexible pavement meaning that the asphalt “bends” or “deflects” due to traffic loads, making it less susceptible to damage and requiring fewer repairs over time. Furthermore, it boasts four new taxiways, a modern drainage system to ensure the better flow of water and improve safety, as well as a new LED lighting system.
Commenting on the runway opening, Mr Berisot said, “Building a runway is not an easy task and building this one in particular was very challenging because it is inserted into an existing runway and taxiway system. For us, it all started in early 2020 and it took us more than three years to build a remarkable piece of infrastructure. We have a 3.5-kilometre long runway, over 350 kilometres of cables, about 2.700 light fixtures, more than 50.000 cubic metres of pavement material, with 258 people engaged with the construction at its peak. It was designed according to the most modern standards. It can fit all categories of aircraft and enables landing in all conditions including low visibility. A total of four new taxiways were built and three existing taxiways were fundamentally reconstructed”. He added, "I want to thank Air Serbia for their assistance in preparing for the opening of the new runway. The partnership we have with Air Serbia is of great importance to us. Our goal is to deliver the best airport we can so Air Serbia can grow and develop".
Although the new runway will be formally opened today, it was already in use by select flights yesterday. The first aircraft operating a commercial flight to touch down on the new runway was an Air Serbia A319 arriving from Moscow. It was followed by flights from New York, Ankara and Bucharest, while Nouvelair took the honours of becoming the first foreign carrier to touch down, arriving from Monastir. Dubbed as the “inserted” runway due to its location in between the existing one and the main parallel taxiway, it will replace the present 3.400-metre runway, which was built in 1962 and will be overhauled in the coming period. Once its reconstruction is completed, the newly built runway will become a parallel taxiway besides the original one. The two will be linked through a new system of taxiways, including four rapid exit taxiways (RETs), for which exits have already been built. The newly constructed runway will also be used in the future, should the main one be unable to handle aircraft for whatever reason. The overhaul of the existing main runway will commence this year.
Mr Berisot noted, "The new runway was built to ensure undisturbed traffic while the existing one is being reconstructed. In the coming days, our teams will not rest and will not enjoy the satisfaction of what they have already accomplished. They will once again move to the next step of our remarkable journey. By the end of the year, all major works will be completed at Nikola Tesla Airport and it will be a different airport in every respect, offering new levels of comfort and efficiency. We will be the airport of the future, capable of welcoming fifteen million passengers by the end of the concession. We are building a new hub in southern Europe".
The Serbian government requested for the construction of the inserted runway as part of the terms of the airport concession. VINCI has also completed a number of other airside projects over the past few years. They include the 22.000-square-metre apron E, the extension of apron C and taxiway F, which are now 20.000 square metres, accompanied by a new lighting and drainage system, as well as the reconstruction and extension of apron B, which now features a flexible pavement, similar to the new runway. Furthermore, the de-icing platform has been expanded by an additional 6.000 square metres for a total of 26.000 square metres, while the perimeter road around the airport has been reconstructed.
Taxiway de-luxe.
ReplyDelete+1000
DeleteBig day for Belgarde!!! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteWhy is the threshold so further down the runway?
ReplyDeleteNot sure but does it have to do something with the new runway being 100 metres longer than the old one?
DeleteThat looks like a lot more than 100m if you ask me.
Deleteprobably to enable constant movement of the machinery to the old runway without the need to keep an constant watch over ground movement when aircraft are landing.
DeleteThreshold needs to have 1/20 clearance from any obstacle within a calculated area extending from the runway at a certain angle, so if a building which is 50 meters high, the runway will need to start 1000 meters from that building (example). I am guessing the terminal infringers on that rule so the threshold (start of runway) is displaced.
DeleteThere are few reasons for sure...think that distance from existing one is closer than standard and there are consequences for that reason; also if you look at photo from east side towards platform A/B you will notice that new RWY begins just one minute taxing from stands A1/2/3 C1/2/3 which is huge help on busy times both for taking off and landings too...if both runways are in use ATC could send one plane to "old" one end 12L and in a meantime send second plane on inserted end 12R which can be in the air by the time first longer taxing gets it to the take off position...
DeleteThanks for the explanations!
DeleteWhy did the government insist on an "inserted" runway?
ReplyDelete...and not on a separate one, which would cost the same.
DeleteI remember reading an interview with someone from VINCI a few years ago who highlighted the fact that the government ordered for the inserted runway, as if to say "this wasn't our idea".
DeleteI really wonder who is the idiot behind that idea.
DeleteBecause there is no space for the new separate one.
DeleteBecause existing one should have been reconstructed and airport could not be closed for the time being.
Because this still gives an alternative to BEG. Because airport needed new taxiways as well.
Because, in total this costs less as you don't build just runaway in the fields, but whole system of taxiways etc.
And finally, this was acceptable middle solution as BEG does not really need 2 runaways to run in the same time.
Plenty of airports around the world manage to reconstruct the runways without closing the airport for a prolonged period of time - night closures, partial closures, etc. are all good options.
Delete^ Don't you think this was considered? The issue is that the current runway is actually in bad shape and no major work has been done on it in 60 years. There is no other option then to completely close it. It also requires not just a resurfacing but complete change of lighting system, new drainage system etc. And this is not something new. When the government wanted to reconstruct the runway some 15 years ago the only option they came up with is to use Batajnica Airport for several months instead.
DeleteBatajnica airport was actually used for that purpose, back in the eighties. Check in process was carried out at Surčin, and pax were then transported to Batajnice on buses.
DeleteAnon 09:15
DeleteName of that idiot is Zoran Ilić. Former assistant minister of transport.
@10.34
DeleteWow, imagine that today. Would be a nightmare. Especially considering Batajnica is not close to Belgrade Airport.
Anon 10:35; Spot on.
DeleteBatajnica was alternative airport after sanctions in later 90's (97 or 98) when reconstruction of existing runway at BEG was in process. I was working back than and it was logistical nightmare. Considering today's passenger number which is more than double it would be close to impossible to repeat that again. Cheers
DeleteI can only imagine. How long does it take from the airport to Batajnuca?
DeleteIt was probably close to one hour, but logistics....everybody was checked in at BEG, baggage check was done too and than they were sent by busses to Batajnica....practically as soon as they left BEG airport all needed to be sterile as there were inadequate facilities and no equipment at Batajnica...than fueling planes, technical department, late flights....it was a nightmare. It would be impossible today as pax number is double or even triple or more than back than.
DeleteIs there a possibility that in the future simultaneous operations will be allowed on two runways?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately no, because they are not far enough from each other.
DeleteI meant if regulations might change in the future.
DeleteThen I guess so but I don't know if it would be safe for example for a plane to be waiting on the taxiway between runway 1 and runway 2 while a plane is landing on the inserted runway (judging from the photos).
DeleteAnon 09:10
DeleteZero cannce of runway seperation regulations would become laxer instead of stricter in the future.
I'm wondering how many landings on new taxiway will happen in near future (can be easily mistaken for runway when it will be turned back to taxiway). It is on unheard of....
DeleteRegulations will not change in the future because the physics will still be the same. Minimum distance between runways (for the two to be used simultaneously) is there to cater for negative effects of wake vortex produced by a heavier preceding aircraft on the succeeding aircraft.
DeleteIt is not possible as lateral distace between two runways must be at least 760 meters
Delete@10:33, but what about airports like SFO where the distance between runways is minimal and parallel landings are still allowed?
DeleteUSA is a bit special, things that are absolutely not allowed in aviation in Europe are perfectly legit there.
DeleteSo this is a European rule and not world one?
DeleteThere is less than 200m between runways at SFO.
DeleteIt reminds me more on LAX north side runways 6L/24R and 6R/24L when arriving traffic is waiting on taxiways between runways for departing traffic to clear.
DeleteDistance is regulated by ICAO and it is different for visual and IFR procedures as well for different lenght of runways ; it is enough 210 m (700 feet) between the runways in visual procedures for simultaneous operations on parallel runways...for IFR is much more spacing needed. There is more to learn ICAO doc 9157 Airport design manual part 1. Takodje je bitno sto je nova pista 'smaknuta' (staggered) jer i to utice na proceduru. Cheers
Delete"The first aircraft operating a commercial flight to touch down on the new runway was an Air Serbia A319 arriving from Moscow. It was followed by flights from New York, Ankara and Bucharest, while Nouvelair took the honours of becoming the first foreign carrier to touch down, arriving from Monastir."
ReplyDeleteMeaning right now both runways are being used, but not simultaneously?
Yes
DeleteAnon 09:13. Old runway (12L/30R) is closed according to latest NOTAM. Only operational runway in Belgrade is the new one - 12R/30L. It is like that since Monday evening.
DeleteIt is not like that since Monday evening as the "old" runway was used throughout the day yesterday and the first landing on the new runway was at 2AM on Tuesday.
DeleteI still think the much better option would have been to build a real second runway on the other side of the airport.
ReplyDeleteWhich they would have to do at some point anyway, making this whole idea ludicrous and wasteful.
DeleteWhat other side?
DeleteIt's either completely demolish Radio Far naselje, or do a runway coming from tall end of Surčin in which case they would need to put the airport road into a tunel, divert the E75. And get the people of parts of Surčin and Bečmen to agree for planes to land over their houses.
In twenty or so years Belgrade will need to start building a new airport.
There was a great masterplan made by Belgrade Airport in 1988 for its future development with the runway on the other side and the terminals in the middle, including a satellite terminal. Unfortunately, they didn't envisage the collapse of Yugoslavia or the rampant construction of illegal neighborhoods in the 1990s like the one next to the airport.
DeleteAnonymous 14:19
Delete+1000
waste of money... completely new runway is much much cheaper...
DeleteInteresting to see that the new runway has a direct taxiway from the de-icing platform.
ReplyDeleteSmart actually
DeleteIs that the taxiway leading exactly to the start of the runway (on the photo)?
DeleteYes that's the one.
DeleteWonder if they will extend it to the old one when it is reconstructed.
DeleteYes it will
DeleteYes they said that today.
DeleteI know it's not possible due to regulations but it would be so cool to see two planes landing simultaneously on the two runways. At least ATRs :D
ReplyDeleteIt is physically perfectly possible.
DeleteIt is not even physically possible as "invisible physical problems" a.k.a. turbulences would be too high for two airplanes to land/take off.
DeleteI guess that would be possible if they would land in opposite directions.
DeleteBut is the question is if it's allowed. I don't think so, only LJU is an exception
Delete@Anon 10:35 it is possible if takeoffs are in perfect synch, turbulence would stay behind planes.
DeleteBEG needs a second runway very soon. This is the only way towards the 10 million mark.
ReplyDeleteReally? London Gatwick has 32m passengers with one runway in operation, so don’t worry.
Delete+ that is in 2022, in record 2019 year they had 46,574,786 passengers. I don’t see BEG coming close in the next 100 years
DeleteGood temporary solution
ReplyDeleteGlad they used contemporary technology and materials for the new runway.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if they used also contemporary materials with some decent level of quality in Terminal building renovation. Everything has cracks, toilets already in poor condition, escalators not working properly, too low ceilings, limited space on passport control, water everywhere when heavy raining… not sure that I will trust that the runway is as good as they claim.
DeleteCommunists built things to last a long time with good quality, these french capitalists build everything to look nice and to the cheapest price while they put the rest of the money they save into their pocket.
Deleteand you're right about the rain. i went through the airport last year and there was heavy water coming through the ceiling.
"Communists built things to last a long time with good quality"
DeleteSlav.Man, bro, you sound like Pozdrav :-)
@slav.man. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteI see all landings and takeoffs are on 12R. All day yesterday and today so far.
ReplyDeleteWill 30L be used any time soon?
Never mind. I just saw there were landings on 30L.
DeleteAnother big day for aviation in Serbia. Congrats
ReplyDeleteSince Vucic is opening it, there should be a live stream on youtube.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkJ7XrI5AY&ab_channel=TanjugNewsAgencyofficial
DeleteVucic built it, that man knows everything
DeleteBig accomplishment. Well done!
ReplyDelete+1
Delete"The partnership we have with Air Serbia is of great importance to us. Our goal is to deliver the best airport we can so Air Serbia can grow and develop"
ReplyDeleteNice
Well they are their main customer. You want to have a good relationship with JU.
DeleteI listened to Vucic's speech at the runway opening and he said how he would particularly like to thank Vinci for not taking action that could harm Air Serbia. In translation, they are not doing a lot of bringing competition.
DeleteA lot of competition has come so it obviously does not mean that. Just a reminder that it is under Vinci that Wizz Air based its third plane in Belgrade and in a month its fourth plane. it's under Vinci that Air Serbia got competition on the Amsterdam route. And it is under Vinci that new airlines like Air Baltic, Lux Air and Hainan Airlines started flying.
DeleteFingers crossed for this one:
ReplyDelete"By the end of the year, all major works will be completed at Nikola Tesla Airport and it will be a different airport in every respect, offering new levels of comfort and efficiency. We will be the airport of the future, capable of welcoming fifteen million passengers by the end of the concession. We are building a new hub in southern Europe".
Mire precisely South East Europe.
Delete*more
DeleteIs this the first new runway at any ex-Yu capital city since the 1960s?!?
ReplyDeleteYes it is
DeleteI think it is the first new runway built at any civilian ex-Yu airport since the collapse of Yugoslavia.
DeleteThat's cool (and a bit sad)
DeleteAlmost a decade of war, costs you decades in economical development
DeleteThere really is no need for additional runways anywhere in ex-Yu. There isn't a need for one in Belgrade either. It was built so the airport wouldn't have to close while they are reconsutrcting the main runway.
DeleteWell said Mr Berisot
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know for how much will the old runway(12L-30R) be overhauled?
ReplyDeleteShould be completed in Q1 2024. They start work in the next few days.
DeleteGreat!
Delete@anon 19:00, I meant for how much distance(metres) it'll be overhauled
DeleteWhat was also said at the opening is rail link will be built in the vicinity. So no direct access from the Terminal as in for example Amsterdam, but more likely nearby station with shuttle bus link to the Terminal.
ReplyDeleteRail link will be built by the government. No dates were given.
Brussels and Amsterdam have a station right under the terminal and that is great solution. Frankfurt has a station next to the airport, it is connected with corridors and you don't have to leave the building, but it takes 10-15minutes to reach it. Personally, I would prefer the first option, but even the 2nd one would be amazing. I guess solution depends how the station will be built, on or under the ground
DeleteUndergound is way too expensive, I think they dropped that idea.
DeleteEven if station is linked with Terminal using covered walkways as in Rome FCO that would be a nice solution, but I don't think they will do it in BEG. Earlier plans had station placed on the far side or Cargo building.
Hopefully we get to a pic of the new runway during night time :)
ReplyDeleteThe construction of the new runway and redevelopment of the old one cost in total 90 million EUR.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how much room there is to the north to widen the runway.
ReplyDeleteInternational Civil Aviation Organisation rules stipulate runways being used for simultaneous operations need to have their centre lines a minimum distance apart of 210 meters.
Gatwick plans to have shorter runway for narrow body take-offs only. It seem they will widen the outer (Northern) runway by 12m in order to meet the 210m distance.
If I got my math right, if outer runway is widened by 20 meters, center points will be 210 meters apart and BEG would have two runways. I imagine that the boundaries of the airport would need to shift by the same 20m (although not sure) and adjacent land bought (3000m x 20m = 6ha)
DeleteCongratulations from Montenegro, Serbia! May Air Serbia grow as fleet and company and Montenegro reconstruct her - at the moment - shitty carrier.
ReplyDelete