Serbia’s ghost airport anticipates new flights

Morava Airport expected to open by year’s end with flights to Germany and Turkey

Three years after its completion, Morava Airport, located in the central Serbian town of Kraljevo, is expected to open its doors for commercial traffic by the end of 2015. Following talks with the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate, the head of the Raška region, Nebojša Simović, says necessary procedures for obtaining an operating license will begin this week. Furthermore, the Serbian government, as well as Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, are willing to enter into a public private partnership agreement with a German company which would operate flights from Kraljevo to both Frankfurt and Istanbul. The name of the company has not been specified. “I’m certain that all preparations for the first flight will be completed in 2015. Morava Airport is vital for the entire region”, Serbia’s Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlović, said recently. Morava Airport lies between three larger cities, Kraljevo, Čačak and Kragujevac, and has a catchment area of some two million people.

Work on the construction of Morava Airport’s 22 million euro terminal was completed in 2012. The airport’s 2.200 metre-long runway, which is 30 metres wide, can accommodate smaller turboprop aircraft. The Turkish government, which invested ten million euros in the terminal’s construction, was to donate a further ten million euros for the widening and lengthening of the runway, with all necessary donation documentation filed. However, in October 2013, as relations between Serbia and Turkey soured, the then Serbian Minister for Construction and Urbanism, Velimir Ilić, refused the donation, adding that Serbia would fund the completion of the airport project itself. However, no work at the airport has been undertaken since.

The Deputy Chairman of the Kraljevo Assembly believes the airport will be opened soon. “Air Serbia has significantly boosted traffic at Belgrade Airport. Due to congestion, Morava Airport is being eyed as an alternative. The airport could begin operations by the end of summer”. Construction of Morava Airport began in 2011 with work on a new control tower and access roads. Later on in the year the first promotional flight was operated from Belgrade with Jat Airways’ ATR 72 aircraft. In 2012 a new passenger terminal was opened featuring a duty free shop, exchange office, commercial office space, a detention centre, clinic, car park and a cargo depot. Jat Airways soon after announced it would launch a two weekly service from Kraljevo to Istanbul, however, these never materialised. The Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, has previously said Morava Airport will be managed by a new state-run operator which is expected to be set up by the end of the month. Since the airport lies between several industrial cities, the government is hopeful the likes of the Italian run Fiat-Zastava car manufacturer would make use of the airport and that further business and investment in the area would be stimulated. In addition, part of the Raška region has close historical ties with Turkey and a portion of the local population is expected to use the airport for future flights to Istanbul.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:10

    ''The airport’s 2.200 metre-long runway, which is 45 metres wide, can accommodate smaller turboprop aircraft.''

    2,200 X 45 is more than adequate for most single aisle aircraft - upto and including the 757 (excluidng the 300 series perhaps).

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      Apron and taxiways aren't big enough.

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    2. Anonymous11:57

      If Skiathos airport, with 1600 metre-long runaway can handle 757-200, B737 and A319 how come that Morava can accommodate only smaller turboprop aircraft? Can somebody explain to me!

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    3. Anonymous12:47

      Width of the runway is the problem.

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    4. Anonymous13:08

      Don't wright stupid things.

      Width of runway is more than enough for A320 and 737. 30 meters is totaly normal witdth.

      Aproan and taxiways are more than enough for A320 and 737.

      But, you need that story to take some more money into the pocket because it is like: "we have building bug now we have to invest in runway, taxiways and apron. If not this beautifull building will stay for nothing.". And of course there is some procentage in those expensive works.

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    5. Anonymous13:23

      2000 m × 45 m znaci isto kao i u INN znaci moze sve da sleti do 757.
      INN-NS

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    6. Anonymous13:26

      Do 767 onda moze i LYKV sigurno
      INN-NS

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    7. Anonymous13:47

      @INN nije 2000 x 45 nego 2000 x 30

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    8. Anonymous14:10

      Stvarno ne znam dali je 2000 x 45 ili 2000 x 30 negde pise ovako a negde onako . U koliko je sati danas ta konferecija.
      INN-NS

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    9. Not true!14:14

      30 meters widith is standard for aircraft category C (A320 and 737). 45 meters widith must be for category D (A330, A340, 767, 777)

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    10. Anonymous14:19

      @INN nema nikakve konferencije danas

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    11. Anonymous14:22

      Pa jel nije trebalo da se danas sazna ko ce biti taj prevoznik. Ja mislim da ce biti LGW sa Q400.
      INN-NS

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    12. Anonymous15:04

      Dimensions are one thing - PCI index is another. If concrete strenghts (runway, taxiways, apron) are low - be lucky to see an ATR in the future - irrespective of lenght and width which - by the sounds of it, can handle A320s and 737s

      Delete
  2. Instead of starting their own airline by wet leasing an airplane, the authorities would be much wiser to offer an incentive package to an already existing low cost carrier. Only LCCs have the cost base to be successful in such a price sensitive market.

    For example, offer this to Ryanair:
    if Ryanair flies to Hahn (Frankfurt), the authorities will secure zero landing, passenger, and handling charges for the airline, and will also help promote the flights.

    If this model proves successful, more destinations could be added. Ryanair is very thin in South East Europe. This could be their chance to gain a foothold and also compete against Wizz's flights to Tuzla, Belgrade, and Niš.

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    1. Postovani gospodine Stojanovicu. Vas stav mi se svidj prema buducnosti razvoja
      malih aerodroma, konkretno MORAVE. Sa time sto ovaj mora da dobije siru I duzu pistu, povecanje avio parking, ILS... Kargo centar. Gotovo, sve navedeno ocekujem da ce se finansirati kroz kontrakt korporacije koja udje u koncesioni dill sa novim entitetom ''Aerodromi Srbije''. U kratko vreme pred nama, mnogo do sada nepoznanica bice obelodanjeno. Nama ostaje strpljenje iscekivanja. Iznad svega pravilna odluka Vlade Srbije. Kada je drzava otvorena za biznis, investitori su tu. Toliko sam pristrasan za napredak razvoja infra structure avio saobracaja Srbije (i bilo gde) da bih sve pozdravio radostam VAISTINU HRISTOS VOSKRESE!. Rodny Marinkovic.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:21

    Like I said Skopje model would be appropriate in the beginning (regardless of if Serbia has enough money, is it better to invest in airports or schools, kindergartens).



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  4. Thanks God!
    definitely AIRPORT MORAVA KRALJEVO, resurrected from death. Easter bring life to this ''ghost'' airfield.
    So happy.
    Rodney on the way to Sydney.
    Zaista mnogim, mnogim ljudima Moravske i cele Srbije danas je lice prekrila radost. Pa i meni, bez razlike gde se nalazio. Kada se vratim na zimovanje u Srbiju let me ceka sa Kraljevacke MORAVE. Hey MORAVA, hire we cam! R.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:07

      Jel Vi stvarno mislite da će biti nešto od ovoga?

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    2. Definitivno mislim da ce AERODROM MORAVA poceti sa putnickim / kargo saobracajem. Realno, posle gradnje Kargo Terminala, kargo letovi bice redovni... Pozdrav Radovan. .

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    3. Anonymous00:37

      G.Radovane sta mislite koja ce Aviokompanija leteti sa vaseg Aerodroma :)
      INN-NS

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    4. Postovani Anon 12:37 AM, moje je misljenje da ce sa Ne mojeg nego MORAVA je aerodrom Srbije i svih ljudi koji to zele. Moji su svih blizu 170 civilnih aerodrome na koje sam u blizu 50 godina do sada uzletao. Sledeci ce biti ovaj mali aerodrome Moravske Srbije, kome se iskreno radujem. Sto me pitate koje ce avio kompanije leteti, bice LCC. Prvi let ce poceti u julu mesecu. Ime kompanije ce biti objavljeno nekoliko nedelja pre uspostavljanja saobracaja iz centralne Evrope. To je za pocetak. Obzirom da MORAVI predstoji prosirenje/produzenje piste, prosirenje tarmac-a, ugradnja ILS, gradnja kargo terminala... Tek tada saobracaj LCC, kargo, carters, ad hok, bice redovni klijenti ovog aerodrome. Ne ocekujem da ce Kraljevacki aerodrome biti preplavljen putnickim avionoma sada I odmah. Pocetak jeste izvestan! Nasa iscekivanja, objektivnosti, percepcije su razliciti. To jeste ljudski. Pred let za Sydney, svako Vam dobro. Radovan.

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  5. Anonymous09:39

    Мислим да је грешка у тексту. Тренутна ширина писте није 45 већ 30 метара

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  6. Anonymous10:19

    let's be real, there is enough demand to fill an at least 100-seater daily to IST. other destinations can be served 2 to 3 pw

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  7. Anonymous10:26

    "Svet je lep, kada sanjamo...."

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  8. Doot10:33

    can they really compete with 40euro flights to IST from Pristina?

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    Replies
    1. Doot10:33

      sorry. SAW

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    2. Anonymous10:41

      PRN is a pricey airport, they can easily offer cheaper charges.

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    3. The Kosovo and Serbian aviation markets have relatively low overlap (compared to Serbia's other neighbors). I don't think PRN will have much effect on flights from Morava.

      As has been mentioned before, PRN is a rather expensive airport. If Morava can cut a good deal with Pegasus, their fares could possibly be as low as €30. Flights at such a price point could be very popular.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:38

      The overlap is so small they write special articles about those people who decided to travel via Priština.And those guys were from totally different region: Niš, Vranje etc. Kraljevo people travel from Belgrade. Sandžak people travel either from Podgorica or Belgrade.

      Plus PRN is expensive, there is a border between, and people are not really aware of which documents are required etc.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:46

      Plus, not many people would rush to Pristinato travel. Serbs are still being attacked there, it's not that safe, especially outside of Pristina.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:11

      What kind of traffic rights would mentioned Germany-based airline have between Kraljevo and Istanbul?

      Delete
  9. Anonymous12:22

    Najbolje resenje je LGW zbog saradnje sa ASL.
    Jos dobrih resenja : FR, U2, XG, TK
    Srednje dobro resenje: KT, HV,ST.
    Najgore resenje W6 .
    INN-NS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:55

      Come on, guys ! Actual runway, taxiways and apron at LYKV cannot withstand even a CR2. Please, let's be serious here, just scarcely. AB, FR, U2 !? It seems that Mr. Marinkovic doesn't in Australia, but on Mars.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:57

      Come on, guys ! Actual runway, taxiways and apron at LYKV cannot withstand even a CR2. Please, let's be serious here, just scarcely. AB, FR, U2 !? It seems that Mr. Marinkovic doesn't live in Australia, but on Mars.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:04

      Ja ne znam kakvo je stanje u LYKV onda jedino LGW preostaje ili nista.
      INN-NS

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:16

      Runways is more than enough for C category planes (A320 and 737). 30 meters is C category. 45 is for D catefory (767,777, A340, A330). 2.000 meters is long enough for A318, A319, A320, 737-200, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, 737-600, 737-700, 737-800.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:19

      Mene bas zanima ko je ta carobna Aviokompanija sta misle ostali koja to moze biti.
      INN-NS

      Delete
    6. Anonymous00:31

      If zadar can support a330, so can morava a320. Not

      Delete
  10. Aэrologic13:34

    Мy recent review of IST, just published:

    The overall impression - a polished mess. Ataturk is far too small for the number of passengers it handles and the lack of discipline doesn't help either, what's noticeable even at low-peak times. The day of our flight a general black-out happened in Turkey, meaning the trams and the trains weren't working for a certain amount of time. Allow at least two hours to arrive to the airport and one more to go through the customs and security control. Turkish Airlines check-in staff are not English speaking. Enough food options although overpriced and with a service leaving a lot to be desired. No A/C sockets in the entire terminal, but there are machines where you can insert coins in order to charge your mobile - derisory if to remain polite. No Wi-Fi. Toilets clean although the terminal is not, especially the more remote gates such as 50X. Travel only if you have no other option than via Istanbul, not a pleasant experience.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous16:47

    This probably has more to do with Ex Yu aviation than we can imagine. As already mentioned here, Qatar's presence in Ex Yu has more to do with efforts to make life tougher for UAE/Etihad than with genuine business interests:

    http://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/region.php?yyyy=2015&mm=04&dd=14&nav_id=980508

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous18:34

    Totalni OT - Da li neko zna da li Qatar na letu od Beograda do Sofije sluzi neki ketering? Let je dosta kratak, malo vise od pola sata, zatim se ceka sat vremena na zamlji i tek onda se nastavlja ka Dohi

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:07

      pojedi burek pre leta pa si miran.
      srećno. ;-)

      Delete
    2. I have never flown that route, but I know that QR gives a chicken or vegi wrap on shorter routes so I am assuming you will get the same. But anyways its never a bad idea to bring burek :D

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    3. Anonymous22:15

      +1

      Delete
  13. Anonymous21:11

    This is not a "ghost airport" it is rather a "ghost terminal". Runway is in operation with the military.

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    Replies
    1. It is ''ghost'' airport in relation to passengers aviation. Military is not parts of civil aviation... Anonymous 9:11 PM is ewer of that fact. Non the less pasanger part of AIRPORT MORAVA will be alive. Soon, very soon. Regards, Rodney.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous08:49

    Such a nice terminal. Simple yet elegant.

    ReplyDelete

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