Belgrade Airport prepares for expansion


Preparations for the 262 million euro expansion of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport are currently under way. The project, which will be jointly managed by operator VINCI and Greek construction and real-estate conglomerate GEK Terna, will include work on the passenger terminals, airside and landside operations. The 3D laser scanning of the airport’s facilities was recently completed in order to gather data on the basic design and existing conditions for the upcoming overhaul. The scanning was necessary due to the lack of project documentation from the past decades, when the airport’s infrastructure was altered several times. Walls, foundations, beams, piping and electrical wiring were all subject to the scan which was carried out from 1.500 standing points.

In a statement to EX-YU Aviation News, Terna said the project’s design process commenced in January, but that the exact construction date could not be revealed at this point. Land has been cleared near the airport’s C concourse to make way for seventy construction site containers, which will house workers and offices for the duration of the expansion project. The joint venture company between VINCI and Terna is in the process of hiring builders, architects and technicians, while Serbian construction company Energoprojekt has been providing planning and consulting services for the project. All construction work must be completed within five years of the commencement date. “The project scope includes a series of infrastructure overhauls, aiming to develop and upgrade the airport's capacity and operating conditions, in order to enable airlines to offer new routes and increase passenger and cargo traffic in line with Serbia's economic growth, based on current and future data”, Terna said.


Belgrade Airport construction site

The project encompasses the expansion of the airport's existing facilities by 42.000 square metres and the refurbishment of the terminals. Furthermore, a new 3.500 metre runway will be built, while the existing 3.400 metre runway will be upgraded. A total of nine new taxiways will be developed, the existing apron will be expanded, and a new 55.000 square metre apron will be built. The deicing platform will be expanded by another 6.200 square metres. Landisde, a new car park, with a capacity for 2.400 vehicles, will be built and new curbside/sidewalk infrastructure and facilities for departures/arrivals handling will be developed. Other projects include road work around the airport, encompassing some 3.500 metres, a new rainwater drainage system, marking and static signage, lighting and CCTV camera systems. Furthermore, construction of auxiliary building facilities and other infrastructure works such as waste water and solid waste treatment plants, a heating plant, a meteorological station and a solar panel plant, amongst others, will be built.




Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    Does this mean that C gate (T2) expansion will happen first?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      I would rather they refurbish the remaining A gates which haven't been touched in 30 years.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:08

      I don't think they will be refurbishing the A gates until they start A gate extension.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:19

      Can the A gates be extended? Is there space?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:22

      There is if they move the cargo facilities.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    "The scanning was necessary due to the lack of project documentation from the past decades"

    Why am I not surprised. I can only imagine what other gems they will stumble on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:37

      +1000
      And there are people who still argue why the airport had to be privatized and foreign experts had to come to refurbish and expand it...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:05

      Here is one . The de-icing platform built 2 years ago was done completely wrong and is smaller than was envisaged by the project.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:26

      who knows what else they might find. maybe the solution of who killed Kennedy, or Attila's hidden treasure. one can never know what to find in deep, forgotten, archives of public enterprises

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    Good to see things moving forward.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:03

    So we're can expect construction to start in autumn?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:04

    Why is the final design so secretive?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      Because they probably haven't finalised it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:06

      It will likely look like the render in the article.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:11

      The first image shows the most of what will be done.

      First. you see that C concourse is getting gates on the opposite side. Here we do not see the tip of the C-concourse and I think it will have an A380-compatible gate and additional floor for a lounge, this is what they might be hiding. However, this concourse and the adjacent terminal will be only for the national airline and its partners. Others will have to use Aconcourse and they will have to get them two gates able to cater for widebodies. They will from there remove the A1 gate to make a new double gate at C. Due to that, both concourses will have a new gate numeration. Terminal buildings would be bigger though.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:13

      I think the first image isn't the final design and is actually just a proposal, because the article says that the designing process began in January but is not completed yet.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:13

      I really hope construction starts soon!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:19

      Looks like B platform will become a cargo area meaning A gates will be extended.

      I wonder if they plan remote stands for ATRs.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:22

      A gates extension may take some of the general aviation parking apron. And that will make the A concourse a bit long, - the problem seen on DXB and SVO.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:23

      The image is just an idea of how it could look it's not the final project but it will probably look very similar. There is little else they could do.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:06

    Didn't someone complain recently how Serbian companies aren't involved? As we can see Energoprojekt is working on the project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      What happened is that Energoprojekt got the preliminary design (Idejni projekat) from abroad, which is then developed by Energoprojekt ad adjusted to Serbian regulation and officially submitted by Serbian architects.

      To be honest, Serbian architects have not developed experience in designing airports. I would rather have them participate in the project umder the guidance of foreign experts

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      From this render seems that we have finally resolved the dilemma regarding the runway.

      We will have an inserted runway instead of true second runway.

      Does someone know what is the distance between rumways in order to have them operste at the same time?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:18

      I suppose it may not be the problem. Look at SFO and new IST.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:21

      Inserted runway was public knowledge from the start wasn't it?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:32

      Based on ICAO doc9157 Aerodrome Design Manuel Part1 Runway, the minimum distance between centre lines of 2 parallel( or near-parallel ) runways is

      For Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) operation:

      210m for category 3( runway length=1200m-1800m ) and category 4( runway length>1800m )

      150m for category 2( runway length=800m-1200m )

      120m for category 1( runway length<800m )

      And for Instrument flight Condition (IMC) operation:

      1035m for independent parallel approaches ( radar separation minima between aircraft and adjacent centre line is not prescribed)

      915m for independent parallel approaches ( radar separation minima between aircraft and adjacent centre line is prescribed)

      760m for independent parallel departures or Segregated parallel operations (one exclusive for departure and another for landing)

      PS: It can be reduced by 30m for each 150m arrival runways is staggered toward arrival aircraft down to 300m between centre line of two runways; and vice versa (but no maximum)

      When two runways are closer than the regulations above, only one can be "operated" at the same time (eg: LGW). Even though only one of the parallel runway would be operated at the same time, the separation of the runway have to follow the "Runway strip rule", which is

      75m each side from the centre lines for category 3/4

      40m each side for category 2

      30m each side for category 1

      Therefore minimum distance of two parallel runways is the sum of the strips,ie: minimum distance of two parallel 4E/F runways is 75+75=150m from their centre lines.

      The above is global standard which represents the minimum requirement of runway , other aviation authorities such as FAA in US may have stricter standard.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:47

      Srpske arhitekte su uradile desetine aerodroma u svetu poslednjih 20 godina

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:09

      Thanks for the info anon 9.10. Very interesting.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:34

      Inserted runway is a complete waste of money.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:38

      The inserted runway is being built because the existing runway needs urgent repairs. The current scope of the runway reconstruction would require the entire airport to be closed so they are going to build the inserted runway so they don't disrupt traffic. Remember 5 years ago how Vlaisalvejvic said they might have to move ops to Batajnica because the runway needed work?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous11:22

      Then why not build a new runway immediately?

      Delete
    11. Anonymous11:52

      Traffic for the foreseeable future make it an expensive luxury.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous03:36

      Pack 'em runways real close, let's make BEG a new SFO! Allow parallel ops on both current and inserted runway and Belgrade will become European plane spotters paradise! Where else in Europe can you see this:

      https://youtu.be/9eT6RQ35BIo?t=28

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:08

    Nice to see UA will have two B777s at the same time. :D
    I guess they will launch EWR and ORD. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      Haha. With that exception the rest looks quite realistic.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      Well if you pay closer attention you will see that all JU planes are actually A330s :D

      ...and are the same size as Wizz A320. :D

      Reminds me of those Tuzla renders when they had the A380.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:23

      For my taste too many W6 on the pic.

      It looks like someone in Belgrade really likes them by providing this free marketing

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:24

      Airplanes parked between the yellow lines, instead of on the yellow lines.

      Somebody thought this is a car park! :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:25

      @9.23 there are just 3 Wizz planes. That's just one more then they have based in BEG now.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:15

      One would be more than sufficient

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:43

      You see only 2 UA planes?

      There are 3 of them. Secret sign from Vinci? :-)

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:54

      Daily flights to BEG by UA from EWR, ORD and IAD! :-)

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:09

    What was the point of Vucic and Macron taking photos a month ago and revealing a plaque how work has started when actual construction work hasn't started yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      For promo.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      They probably launched the preparation phase.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:20

      Macron ain't going to come every month. It was an opportunity for him to officially get involved somehow in this project.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:10

    So that's why they were clearing the land for months. I was convinced they were making a staff parking area.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:10

    This is much needed. Air Serbia is expanding and so are foreign carriers. Morning and noon periods are hectic and there is barely any space both inside and outside the terminal.

    Belgrade was wrongly built by the Communists from the start. It was also the only Eastern Bloc capital to have a single runway from the start and a tiny terminal building.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      SOF has 2 runways?
      TIA has 2 runways?

      Delete
    2. Yes and we had only one type of joghurt in Yugoslavia. You can join Ms. Kolinda of Croatia. Stop BS. Yugoslavia WAS NOT EASTERN BLOCK. Communists were strong at 50's and 60's and later lost any sense. We had market economy, not centralised, we had 4 airline companies, not single one, we had open borders and travelled like crazy we had good living standard and human rights on higher level than today, with few exceptions. JAT had American planes in fleet, not Russian like Eastern Block countries, and was the first in Europe to get at that time state of the art NG 737-300. Adria was one of the first in Europe to get at that time suoermodern A320. If Yugoslavia was Eastern Block by any parameter, I am Queen Elizabeth of England.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:29

      Heheh jednom i da se ja slozim sa tobom

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:35

      Whoever is familiar with Enver of Albania would know that if it was up to him they wouldn't even have that one runway :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:50

      Zapravo imali smo LCC/carter sa ruskim avionima koji su poslovali bolje od OU i Adrie i YM zajedno.

      Delete
    6. Aэrologic10:31

      Budapest, Kiev, Warsaw, Prague, Bucharest all had a double runway system right from the start.

      Belgrade had one runway built and a tiny terminal despite handling more pax than Vienna and BUD at the end of the 80's.

      Even Sofia and Minsk which had incomparable (lower) levels of traffic to BEG at least had a 60m wide runway built instead of 45m at BEG enabling them to handle large Antonovs or even the A380.

      Hopefully, but still unlikely, most of that can be rectified now.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:43

      What were BEG, BUD and VIE passengers numbers at the end of 80's?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:32

      BEG had 3.4 million, BUD around 2 million, VIE was around 3 million.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous13:48

      Even BTS had two runways from the start.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:15

    I like the design, reminds me a bit of MUC. Simple and functional, that's what we need. Also I like the glass walls, easy for spotting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      BEG is already quite good for spotting because it's all clear glass inside. The only issue is that they are adding more and more stores so they are starting to obstruct access to windows.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      it is nowhere close to ARN which is perfect for spotting.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:55

      I hope they build an observation deck :)

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:19

    Can't wait for it to start and for the airport to start transforming :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:23

      In a way the airport started its transformation phase with JU expansion this summer. :)

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:36

    This expansion would not be needed if JU wasn't back at growing once again. BEG and JU need to be well coordinated before BEG can become a serious regional player. Adding destinations such as KRR, HEL or CAI was a move in the right direction as it provides new passengers to JU's network. Hopefully we see more growth from them next year as well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:37

    The airport will really be unrecognizable in 5 years. Can't wait

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:45

    They are going to build a solar panel plant? Wow. Where could it be located?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:48

      They are big on being environmentally friendly. BEG will join the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. https://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:50

      I guess that's why toilets are so filthy, they are saving water. #gogreen

      lol

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:56

    Hopefully Government will finally publish the Agreement so we can compare the plan presented with what was agreed in concession.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:19

      Well if you read the statements and see the render up there same things are coming up over and over again. They have been consistent from the start. Also there was crazy interest for the airport so they had to fight hard, it's in their interest to keep on expanding and investing.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:58

    The 42.000 m2 they plan to build is bigger than the current terminal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:19

      Which means both A and C areas will be considerably expanded.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:00

    Putting gates on both sides of the C concourse would actually be very smart.There is more than enough space. I hope they adopt this idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:02

      +1
      that's the area where there is some parking at the moment. I think taxi parking?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:12

      Yes

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:12

    Big project. Congrats

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:14

    And what about a hotel?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:21

      It will probably be built at a later stage but it probably isn't a priority. Same in ZAG and LJU. Hotels have been promised but now progress has been made on them yet.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:29

      An airport hotel is far more necessary for the development of BEG than an extra runway.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:20

    Is there any space at BEG to build a completely new independent terminal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:40

      actually yes. even on current ground there is a place for new terminal, like between Tehnika apron and taxiway, there is enough room for a terminal with platform. also, it can be built on the position of Radiofar settlement, as I don't think that it's completely legal

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:22

    Belgrade Airport needs a Hotel!!!!!The second runway should be build on the other side, even if it would be shorter (due to Surcin).Old A Gates need urgent facelift until this area is rebuild- they are a true disgrace!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:31

    Looking forward to a nice and modern look.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous10:44

    The picture above is definitely not the final design. C concourse will not get gates and bridges at the opposite while the number of facilities (corporate office building, car park, garage) also differ. Unfortunately, inserted runway will definitely be used solely when main is inoperable.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous11:02

    Much needed. Good to hear.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:02

    I think the main thing that needs to be done is reconstruct the runway and I'm glad it will be done in the first five years.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:08

    Bring more new airlines.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:10

    I don't think people are aware of the scale of things they will do in the first 5 years. First they will build an inserted runway, reconstruct existing runway, add 5 new A gates, build supporting infrastructure like administrative buildings, make a new taxiway system and build new taxiways. From what I hear B gates apron will also be extended and improved and the C gates will be extended to the point that it is like a brand new terminal. They will also eventually build a full second runway, not inserted. They didn't buy all that surrounding land for nothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:30

      Let's see what becomes of this concession.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:39

      For once it looks like they're planning for the future, ahead of time, which is commendable. Although given how busy and crowded the border is during the two big waves of traffic, in certain aspects they're a bit behind.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:41

      How building an inserted runway is planning for the future?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:01

      Unless you are having 40 million passengers a year two inserted runways are more than enough to handle traffic.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous11:46

    Good luck BEG.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous12:16

    The most important things to be considered are:

    - Second runway
    - Metro station from/to the Belgrade centre
    - Flights to Australia and Canada
    - Belgrade to become a Ryanair hub
    - Norwegian flights to LAX, MIA, EZE (Serbian Argentine diaspora)
    - JU Caucasus flights - EVN, TBS, GYD, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:55

      "The most important things"
      LOOOOOL

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:16

      Nothing without daily flights to PKC and IPC.

      Delete
    3. I am happy about BEG getting bigger and better, as after all, it was my first base airport and I am still emotional about it. And of course I wish the same, to get bigger and better, to all ex-yu airports and airlines. Writing this introduction to show I 'm not "hater". But some people, and when I say it I mean @An.12.16 really really really made me laugh. A lot. Especially Norwegian to Buenos Aires. Only and only that may happen soon out of written is Ryanair. And not hub but some flights. And possibly JU somewhere to Caucasus. All other is pure science fiction. Far far far far from "most important things"

      Delete
    4. And possibly JU to Pearson, forgot about, again, don't want to be accused "hater"

      Delete
    5. Anonymous20:42

      - Twice daily B787 to Trebinje

      Delete
    6. Anonymous21:51

      It's good to see pozdrav iz Rijeke happy :D
      BEG will be grand and the future looks really bright. I am confident that maybe not the whole list mentioned will turn reality but the second runway and Australia flights quite a reality.

      Delete
    7. The only country from European continent with direct flights to Australia is UK. Doubt Serbia will be the second :) Or third, fourth... :) Second runway - too big investment for private investor until number of passengers reaches double digit. And yes, I really am happy about BEG :)

      Delete
    8. Anonymous06:33

      Ok, I doubt anyone seriously thinks that Australia flights will happen, especially not with EY partnership. It's more economical to shuttle them via AUH than to fly on their own metal.

      As for the second runway, well the inserted one will happen and I think second regular one will be built in a few years when BEG reaches 10 million.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous09:16

      Theoretically they can start flying to Australia with a stopover in Cambodia where VINCI airports operate. And they lack direct flights to Europe. So a part of seats to be reserved for Cambodia leg. It is a skyrocketing market.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous14:22

    They definitely should restructure the security check like in all normal airports in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:04

      Ti nisi puno putovao.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous18:16

    I hope they have only gates on the outside of the trerminal not inverted like on the simulation because it would be a mess ...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Велика захвалност за презентацију овог текста о почетку у припреми реконструкције Београдског аеродрома. Који ће бити средње величине у Европи. ЕХ ЈУ Авијешн њус, јесте једини извор о развоју и догађајима на Енглеском језику.Искључиво о цивилном вадухопловству и аеродромима на простору највећег дела Балкана. Без вас би били много сиромашнији о кретањима комерцијалне авијације у локалним државама овог дела Европе.
    Још бих додао да се слажем и подржавам виђење
    особе Аnon 12:16 PM. Јер као и Он, очекујем добар и напредан развој државе Србије, њених аеродрома.
    Повећања и проширења линија...
    Још један интерконтинентални лет са аеродрома Никола Тесла за две седмице... ✈☺✈🌐✈
    Радован. Краљево ✈ Sydney.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous21:47

    Consequence a very bad commercial management, but we hope for a changes as workers and which will be also felt by travelers. The tree executives directors of the former management are protecting political employees and VINCI must find out that the true is not just what they say!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:59

      Yes, that thrue!

      Delete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      Not before they separate arriving and departing passengers, which they surely will do.

      Delete

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