Belgrade Airport breaks record as Skopje and Sarajevo see growth

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Skopje Alexander the Great and Sarajevo Airport have all seen their passenger numbers grow this July. Belgrade Airport recorded its busiest month in history, handling an impressive 539.823 passengers, an increase of 24.7% compared to the same month last year. In addition, the number of flights operating to and from the airport increased from 5.123 in 2013 to 6.047 this July, up 18%. The amount of handled cargo was also up, increasing by 28.4%. The busiest airport in the former Yugoslavia has seen a strong start to August as it broke its single-day record on August 2. The airport welcomed 20.380 passengers within 24 hours. Overall, Belgrade has handled 2.528.387 travellers during the first seven months of the year, up 30.3% on the same period last year.

Month	PAX	Change (%)
JAN	270.784	▲ 28.9
FEB	232.061	▲ 33.8
MAR	282.447	▲ 28.2
APR	368.171	▲ 46.2
MAY	383.773	▲ 27.5
JUN	451.324	▲ 28.8
JUL	539.823	▲ 24.7

Skopje Alexander the Great Airport continued its strong performance this summer by welcoming 132.227 passengers though its doors in July. The result represents an increase of 17.5% compared to the same month last year. Macedonia’s busiest airport is now on course to handle over one million passengers this year and break its all time passenger record. So far in 2014, the airport has welcomed 667.277 travellers, up 19.9%. Meanwhile, the country’s second international airport, Ohrid, saw 12.557 passengers this July.

Month	PAX	Change (%)
JAN	62.362	▼ 1.4
FEB	65.223	▲ 20.4
MAR	76.589	▲ 12.3
APR	105.596	▲ 42.0
MAY	109.029	▲ 24.3
JUN	116.352	▲ 20.8
JUL	132.227	▲ 17.5

Finally, Sarajevo Airport also managed to extend its growth streak to a third consecutive month. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s busiest airport handled 74.948 passengers, an increase of 7.5%. The number of flight operations also grew, from 551 last year to 594 this July, or an increase of 7.8%. Cargo traffic was also a highlight for Sarajevo Airport last month. It processed 194.738 kilograms of commercial cargo, an increase of 31% compared to the same month last year. Overall, Sarajevo Airport has welcomed 395.371 travellers though its doors this year, up 5.8%. In a statement, the airport said, “Sarajevo is continually recording passenger growth and is expected to handle some 700.000 passengers this year”.