Morava Airport outlines growth plans



Serbia's newest commercial airport, Morava, is in talks with several carriers over the launch of scheduled flights starting this winter and is drafting plans for the construction of a second runway. Shortly after its formal opening on June 28, the airport was issued with an operating license by the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate and has signed contracts for the lease of commercial space, including a duty free shop, which will be managed by Switzerland's Dufry, as well as rent-a-car agencies. Since opening its doors, the airport has handled private taxi flights, while over thirty newly employed staff members continue to undergo training.

The General Manager of operator Airports of Serbia, Mihajlo Zdravković, said, "We have already held talks with several airlines and I must say there is interest. This is displayed by the fact that we have leased out commercial space at the airport. Realistically speaking, we can expect the first commercial flights from Morava Airport to be inaugurated at the start of the winter season in late October. These will be regional services operated by smaller aircraft. We would also be satisfied if they were to start next summer, keeping in mind that the airport has a catchment area of some one million people, as well as the region's business potential and growing tourism".


Mr Zdravković believes the airport could handle a projected 20.000 passengers as outlined earlier this year by Serbia's Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlović. "It is not unrealistic for the airport to process 20.000 travellers this year if flights start this winter. Certain airlines have promised they would launch flights, however, until a commercial agreement is signed we cannot say with certainty whether they will materialise", Mr Zdravković said. He added, "Today, any aircraft with the capacity to seat between sixty and eighty passengers can land here. Based on the airline's decision, we are also capable of handling larger Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A319 and A320 jets. We already have the necessary equipment to cater for all these aircraft types, including fire emergency service certification".

Commenting on the future development of Morava Airport, Ms Mihajlović noted that work on compiling and securing technical documentation for the construction of a second runway will begin this year, in order for work to commence in 2020. "We will provide funds for this project in next year's budget", Ms Mihajlović said. She added, "In addition to the introduction of scheduled commercial flights, it is important for Morava Airport to become a centre for cargo operations, which will be aided by the construction of the Morava Corridor". The planned corridor is a 110 kilometre highway valued at 800 million euros that is expected to be built by the US-Turkish consortium Bechtel-ENKA and will pass near the airport. Its construction is scheduled to begin next year.





Comments

  1. Anonymous08:49

    The airport looks really good actually. But it needs flights. This way it is just wasting money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:23

      I wonder how all these airports with extra traffic - Nis and probably Kraljevo soon, will impact Belgrade Airport. Surely people who fly from INI and in the future Kraljevo used Belgrade in the past.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:28

      I think the majority are a completely new category of passengers who for the most part used busses in the past.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:57

      From the start people have been saying that INI will impact BEG and we've all seen that it hasn't happened yet. Also don't forget that OSI and TSR collapsing is good for BEG.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:15

      I think Wizz routes from BEG are popular with people from eastern Croatia. Especially BSL which had ok loads from OSI.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:35

      It would be great if the new rail track could be extended from Novi Sad to Osijek via Vukovar and then to have decent connections to BEG. That's how normal countries do it but then again we are in the Balkans so...

      Delete
    6. And What are those "normal" countries ?

      Delete
  2. Anonymous08:51

    Wasn't it just easier to build a new runway straight away then waste money on the current one?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous08:53

    Interesting that Dufry has already signed up. They wouldn't do that if there weren't guarantees there will be flights.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous08:57

    Bet you they will give Air Serbia money to fly to a few places here and there to justify the airport's existence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:10

      Yes likely a Nis scenario here too.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:15

      PSO like in Croatia. No big deal

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:17

      Air Serbia should launch Belgrade-Nis-Kraljevo domestic line :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:26

      They should give the Belgrade-Nis-Kraljevo route to JP. They specialize in "Balkan bus triangle" by airplane.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:32

      lol but on a serious note what regional routes could actually work from Kraljevo? If any

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:00

    Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:01

      This terminal is a million times better than the one in Nis which needs an urgent overhaul.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:35

      Makes sense since Nis's terminal was built in the 80s and this one is new.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:30

      INI does not need any overhaul to the existing terminal. It needs an entire new terminal to be built from scratch.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:01

    And they opened it 2 weeks ago and what now. Isn't it the case when you open something that you already have flights lined up. What a sham.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:04

      Welcome to the Balkans.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:35

      They couldn't start negotiating with airlines until they were issued a certificate by Serbian CAD. They may have just had some informal talks.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:02

    Unlike some I think this airport could attract some LCCs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:09

      Wizz Air said it was interested and the director talks about airlines (plural) showing interest. So I think it could work.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:37

      Before a new runway is done, I don't think we will see any major players at Morava. While larger aircraft like A320 can land, there are limitations. That's why the general manager says it is up to the airline to decide if they want to land there if they are operating larger aircraft.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:02

    Kraljevo-Istanbul will be launched for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Hopefully by TK.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      Directorate would never allow that lol. They don't want to allow them to start a few extra frequencies to Belgrade either.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:16

      Turks invested 10 million in this airport. They have to allow them

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:17

      The directorate would allow flights to Kraljevo. They don't care, as long as it can't affect Etihad's transfer passengers.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:19

      Pegasus would be very interesting

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:22

      I don't think there is a chance we will see TK at Morava any time soon. Pegasus on the other hand could be possible.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous18:50

      Pegasus does not even have daily flights to Belgrade ...

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:04

    Shiny.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:06

    Very nice airport! I wish them best of luck and hope airlines start lining up soon:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:08

    I think now they need to get IATA certification.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      Anyone know how this process works?

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:10

    "Certain airlines have promised they would launch flights"

    I'm ashamed by the level of amateurism with which our country is run...

    -_-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      This stood out for me too :D
      A promise is a promise.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:10

    I can only imagine how much money maintaining this ghost airport will cost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      Well the building has been sitting there unused for 7 years so at least it's going to be put to use now.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:13

    Nadam se da AS sprema avion za Kraljevo😃

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:33

      They can not even maintain current BEG schedule with the existing fleet. INI flights will be a shock and big stress on the fleet. I am going to take my family to vacation early September based on a scheduled JU flight but I happily topped up 50 EUR for the full flex policy. One never knows...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:45

      Why did you pay extra 50 EUR if you believe they will change their schedule?

      If you change yours, it is understandable but if they anyhow change theirs or cancel the flight they must find alternative transportation for you or return you the money.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:17

    I like the marble check-in desks :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:18

    "Today, any aircraft with the capacity to seat between sixty and eighty passengers can land here. Based on the airline's decision, we are also capable of handling larger Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A319 and A320 jets".

    60 - 80 seats = JU (ATR)
    B738 = TK and FR
    A319/A320 = W6

    They are ready for all :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:38

      Like I commented above, there are some limitations to the runway when used by A310/A320 or B738s.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:39

      Very ready...

      "Use of AD only with permission issued by Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia"

      No de-icing facilities available, runway unable to accept heavy aircraft due to its low load-bearing capability, no runway or approach lights which means no operations at night, no published fire-fighting category.

      Airlines are already lining up to fly to this very operational airport.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:41

      They have received fire fighting categorisation.

      "We already have the necessary equipment to cater for all these aircraft types, including fire emergency service certification".

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:47

      Missed that detail, true. It's now Category 6. Still not enough to get B737-800 though, only A320/B737-700.

      No fuel available except for military, though.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:20

    In order to have growth ... you need to have at least one flight :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:21

    Thanks for the photos and video. I'm surprised at how modern this airport is. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      Agree. Sleek terminal for a small regional town.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:33

      Reminds me a bit of Maribor too. Although I hope this one won't be as underutilized.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:29

    I have such strange feeling that new episode of OSI and MBX has begun involving new actor KVO. Balkan area is known about such ventures. Despite of known facts I wish KVO good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:38

      Unfortunately I think you may be right. Hope for the best though.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous09:32

    How much did this project cost? I mean the terminal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      22 million euros - that includes the control tower.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:01

      That's about the same Ljubljana's new terminal will cost!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:51

    Bus companies will go bust once these flights start.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:01

      Not really. Maybe some long distance bus lines will be affected, but then again most of those go through Belgrade.
      KVO will create a new market with mostly gasto routes and hopefully(alongside Nis) introduce charters and flight to the holiday destinations which would further boost their growth

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:04

    Morava Airport

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:10

    Uzice is next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:14

      Vucic also mentioned the airport in Bor as well!!!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:26

      I guess Chinese will ask for a PSO flight Bor-Belgrade soon, if they hadn`t already. And that is needed.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:27

      That really makes sense considering Bor and Nis are 120 kilometres from each other.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:32

      Bor already has a control tower, runway, hangars and it even handles some 1,000 passengers last year (private flights).

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:37

      The fact you mention that Nis and Bor are 'only' 120 km apart goes to show you've never driven between those two cities.
      Even from Paracin (exit from highway) to Bor takes around 2 hours.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:17

      What does the distance from Niš have to do with the neccesity for Bor to be connected to Belgrade, administrative and economic center of a country, in a decent manner? Is there anyone who would drive from Bor to Niš, in order to catch a plane to Belgrade, if there was one? Of course not. Is there a motorway to Belgrade? No, there isn`t. Is there a decent railway? So, there should be flights, or You will have a region isolated from your own capital - with the amount of foreign investment reaching billions of $, which makes absolutely no sense, and I`m certain (and I`m doing some business, yes) it does not pay.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous10:10

    This airport could be good for cargo too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:11

    Why does an airport with no flights need over 30 staff?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:15

      Because causons need salary for living :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:16

      First of all they have private flights, second of all you probably need to have a minimum number of staff to get certification.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:12

    This airport will develop much faster than Nis.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:15

    That highway will never happen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:16

      What highway?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:24

      Construction agreement will be signed this autumn, so it will. The negativity here is crazy.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:28

      And why was it said it would never happen?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:46

      Guy is just being negative.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous10:16

    The terminal building resembles the one in PDV yet this one is quite newer. However, they are both almost the same.
    Hoping this airport sees passengers asap. An empty airport is always very expensive to handle.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous10:21

    I think it's time for Wizz to base a third plane in BEG and to use it for W routes to INI and LYKV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:41

      You are kidding, right?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:53

      Of course I am not, why would I be?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:41

      As Serbia is not in EU , do you know that W6 would not be allowed to fly hypothetically speaking KVO-INI?
      Or not even BEG-SJJ, INI-TIV, KVO-SKP etc
      You are welcome

      Delete
    4. Anonymous15:35

      I am welcome for what exactly? You wrote a whole bunch of nonsense.

      I meant to operate BEG MMX KVO MMX BEG or BEG EIN INI EIN BEG.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:08

      This is even more fun!
      Please find me one route where W6 r any other LCC operates like this?
      And then I am writing nonsense
      LOOL

      Delete
    6. Anonymous08:04

      Huh? You do realize that's how most of them operate so yes you are writing nonsense as usual. You do understand that MMX-INI was cut because of the Polish base being shut down? That route was operate as Poland-MMX-INI-MMX-Poland.

      INI-BSL is operate with SKP plane in the same way. OSI-BSL was operate with BEG plane in the same way. In neighboring Romania Craiova and Suceava share an A320 so for example it operated these days:

      11.07
      CRA-CIA-SCV-CRA-MAD-CRA.

      So I found you many examples, will you accept that you wrote nonsense now?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous19:20

      I think I misunderstood you earlier and my Balkan stubbornness prevented me from admitting it.

      Cheers mate.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous10:30

    No chance any airline is coming until this issue with runway is done. It just has to be widthened to 45m.
    I know that theoreticaly are airlines allowed to land with an a320 on a 30m runway, but they wont do it, because it's just to risky (inssurance thing). There will certainly be arguments that airlines land also in Memmingen. In Memmingen is the in-line runway 30m, but there are also 15m asphalt on both sides (all together 60m) that are not meant to be used for normal landing with heawy a320, but in case of crosswinds, when the plane need a bit more asphalt, in this case it will hold the short use of the other 15m. There will probably be also other examples of airports, but I checked them all, and Dortmund or other have NOT a 30m, but 45m.
    So please just forget this stupid political project, until they (with they I always mean also WE) do it right!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:42

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:05

      Ryanair flies daily to Mykonos, which is a "true" 30m runway. Same for Skiathos, plenty of 737/320 traffic.

      Both Easyjet and Ryanair operate without issues from Southend in UK, which is 1604x36m runway.

      And as far as Memmingen goes, no, you cannot use the extra surface, as the aircraft will clip couple of runway edge lights if you do so. That's why narrow runways have lower crosswind limits for takeoff and landing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23:31

      Mykonos is same case like Memmingen.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10:35

    Great news

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous10:41

    Gasto routes to Germany and Austria would work well from here.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous10:43

    I am sure Wizz from BUD will happen since those could be subsidized.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous10:48

    And they still haven't changed "Airport Morava" with "Morava Airport"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:57

      That must be the most important thing to do

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:06

      But they managed to brand the stairs as Airports of Serbia

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:29

      Interestingly, if you look at the sign behind the check in desks it sys Morava Airport correctly. It's only the sign on the building that's wrong.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:38

      Big deal, it's not that important.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:44

      If you have to say it in English, then say it right.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:44

      Yes, in English it is right to say Morava Airport and we concluded it here so many times.

      No need to be repeated all over again.

      Delete
  35. Најважнији моменат јесте био на Видовдан. Држава је уложила толико новца у Аеродром Морава, да више нема одустајања. Напротив. Доградња аеродрома са градњом Карго терминала и консигнационалног центра - складишта.
    Неизоставна је градња нове писте за карго и путничке авионе. Величинр 2800 х 45 метара. Са уградњом ILS уређаја,
    Уз осветљење осе писте и бочног осветљења. Са рулном стазом која може носити карго авионе до 250 тона укупне
    Тежина. Овај аеродром ће комерцијално опстајати првенствено од карго саобраћаја. Путнички саобраћај ће постајати захваљујући LCC и чартер саобраћају. Са врхунским менаџментом у управљању бизнисом. Таквих менаџера нема
    у Краљеву, Чачку, Крагујевцу... Они се могу довести са стране.
    У Централној Србији нема искуства у области путничке авијације. У вери сам да ће Морава позитивно пословати
    У току идућих седам до осам година. Морава се налази у окружењу четири ауто пута који се рачвају близу ове ваздушне луке. Правци за Београд, Пожегу, Појате и Крагујевац... Будуће инвестиције са овим које су већ присутне
    лежи потенцијал развоја, успешности Мораве и доброг дела
    централне и југозападне Србије.
    Садашња писта јесте војна. И није економски исплативо је
    Рехабилитовати и преуредити за цивилне авионе средње величине. Са паралелном пистом се раздваја саобраћај.
    Повећава безбедност и комерцијални саобраћај се успешно
    обавља. Без ометања оперативности цивилног, западног дела аеродрома и могућности несметаног повећања саобраћаја и објеката даљег развоја.
    Апсолутно је неприхватљиво да држава на источној страни писте, порезом издржава војни сектор, а на западном делу
    издржава цивилни део аеродрома. Потребно је даље инвестирати у Моравски аеродром, да би зарађивао и делом зараде учествовао у издржавању војске. Што је потпуно нормално, логично и Могуће.
    На крају, у Српском народу се каже: "Родило се ваља га љуљати". Да Аеродрому Морави предстоји израстање.
    Људима вера, промишљање труд, одговорност и ефикасност.
    ЖИВЕЛА СРБИЈА и народ њен.
    Welcome to Kraljevo - International Airport Morava! ✈✈✈✈✈
    Rodney, near Airport Morava. ✈🔆✈🔅✈✨✈😇✈💒☺✈🌎✈🌏✈🌍✈🌐✈

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous11:06

    I know people will probably make fun of me and say I'm making things up, but since I'm from Kraljevo and visit there each year, you would all be surprised by the amount of foreign tourists this town gets in summer because of Vrnjacka Banja. Yes, it is true these are mostly older people but walk out on the streets in Kraljevo in summer and you will hear French, German, Romanian and English more on the streets then Serbian. So tourists could be one source of passengers at Kraljevo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:58

      "you will hear French, German, Romanian and English more on the streets then Serbian"

      C'mon man.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:12

      Yes. You can judge for yourself when you visit Kraljevo in summer for the first time in your life.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous11:07

    Does the airport have parking?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:29

      Yes there is a parking lot right in front of the building.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:36

      You can see it in the last two photos in the gallery.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:41

      Ooops didn't notice. Thank you

      Delete
  38. Anonymous11:43

    What is the terminal's capacity?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous12:05

    Zoka telling fairytales again.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous12:25

    Finally, the dependence from BEG is decreasing...
    Serbs will have 3 decent international airports to choose from.
    We could see a W6 base in KVO just like in DEB, CRA, VAR, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:26

      Well truth be told no one was preventing airlines from expanding and launching INI in the past. Many tried and many failed. Flights are expensive, you need money to fly, something many in many parts of Serbia didn't have due to unfavorable circumstances.

      Delete
  41. kraspeed16:53

    Terminal looks great.

    Does the airport have proper ILS equipment? I remember it was a major setback for Nis as airlines wouldn't start flights before installing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:02

      I believe there is CAT I ILS for approach from the east. There is also a VOR KRV 116.3

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:06

      No ILS. Only VOR and RNAV.

      Delete
  42. Anonymous19:00

    Fake News same as with Maribors joke of an airport.

    There will never be flights from Morava Fakeport to anywhere and they all know it .

    Btw Wizz Air is opening many new routes from Timisoara to anywhere -
    thats for you Vinci attracting airlines to Belgrade ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:46

      Wishful thinking...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous08:07

      They are opening four new routes to the middle of nowhere. They are trying to compensate for FR's departure.

      Delete
  43. Anonymous22:23

    Nikad nisam glasao za njega. Ipak ima nešto u tome da stvarno ima ljudi koji mrze svoju zemlju kao što se vidi u komentarima. Ok, neki su komšije ali neki su očigledno naši. Vreme će, kao i obično, da reši autohejtere. To je komentar za danas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous02:06

      Bravo Koka na komentar za danas. I za koga ti nisi glasao?

      Delete

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