PHOTOS: Belgrade Airport construction update

NEWS FLASH

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is continuing to undergo upgrades. However, delayed permit approvals for facility use and construction start are holding up the opening of several new retail, commercial and food and beverage outlets. Despite spaces being prepared, the lack of administrative clearance, as well as procedural errors are preventing operators from beginning fit-out work, pushing back planned openings and limiting the airport’s commercial offering for passengers.

Belgrade Airport has recently completed the replacement of its two remaining legacy baggage carousels, marking the final phase of a broader baggage handling system upgrade. With this latest step, all five original carousels at the arrivals hall have now been replaced with new, modern units. In addition to the replacements, a sixth brand-new carousel has also been installed and brought into operation, expanding capacity and improving baggage delivery efficiency for arriving passengers.

As previously reported, the development of new food and beverage outlets and retail shops in the departures area is progressing more slowly than anticipated, although several are expected to open soon. In the meantime, a new compact duty-free store has opened in Pier A, expanding the retail offering for departing passengers.

UK retailer WH Smith has launched its first stores in Serbia at Belgrade Airport, with one located in the old Terminal 1 and another in the arrivals hall just past customs. However, its main outlet, situated on the ground floor of the Central Processor, has been fully fitted out but remains closed pending approvals. Originally scheduled to open in January, the store is still awaiting the necessary permits. Similarly, Air Serbia’s new open-plan ticketing office, positioned across from its check-in counters in the Central Processor, has been completed but is also awaiting the airport’s operating clearance.

Planned new main WH Smith store

On the apron, the airport has completed a major overhaul of its drainage system. As previously reported, four new rapid exit taxiways have also been opened and are now fully operational, improving runway efficiency. Additionally, the former inserted runway has been converted into a full-length parallel taxiway. While now serving a different function, it remains available for use as a runway if the main one is temporarily out of service.

As of May 14, Belgrade Air Traffic Services (ATSU) has begun using radar-derived data to manage aircraft within the Belgrade Control Zone (CTR), improving both situational awareness and operational efficiency. The implementation allows air traffic controllers to provide more accurate separation and navigation guidance during critical flight phases, including takeoff and landing.

Belgrade Airport has begun a pretrial of Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM), which aims to improve the efficiency and resilience of airport operations by optimising the use of resources and improving the predictability of air traffic. It achieves this by encouraging airport partners (airport operators, aircraft operators, ground handlers and ATC) and the Network Manager to work more transparently and collaboratively, exchanging relevant accurate and timely information. It focuses especially on aircraft turnaround and pre-departure processes. It also allows the exchange of more accurate departure information, particularly target takeoff times, with the European Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management network, leading to improved en-route and sectoral planning. A-CDM is a joint venture between several European and international organisations, including ACI Europe, Eurocontrol, IATA and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation.