Infrastructure developments at several airports across the former Yugoslavia are continuing despite the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Work is ongoing in Ljubljana, Belgrade and Sarajevo.

Construction of Ljubljana Airport’s new terminal (pictured above) is progressing with work expected to be completed by the end of the year. Testing of the new terminal and its equipment is scheduled to commence in January 2021, while its opening is set to take place in June that same year, just ahead of Slovenia's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins in July. Stretching over 10.000 square metres, the new terminal will feature a new departures hall with 22 check-in counters, five security lanes, three baggage carousels, a new baggage sorting facility, a large duty free shop, a new premium lounge, as well as new food and beverage facilities. The existing passenger terminal, which stretches over 13.000 square metres, will also be partially renovated. The two facilities will then be joined to form a single functioning unit. The new terminal will be a spacious fusion of concrete, wood and glass, reflecting the nearby Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The Slovenian government has noted that work on major construction sites will continue despite the current pandemic.

Work on several projects in and around Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport are continuing. They include the expansion of the C concourse departures area (pictured above), the construction of two new A concourse bus gates, which are to be completed during the spring, the expansion of the arrivals area and the construction of a new control tower. The French industrial company Lafarge announced yesterday it would soon begin work on the airport’s new taxiways for which it will use a new premium range of ready-mix concrete which is more durable. The Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, noted that all ongoing infrastructure projects in the country are progressing according to schedule and there would be no delays or work stoppages. However, airport operator VINCI warned that “a plan to reduce operating expenses and defer investments is currently being implemented across all airports in compliance with contractual and aeronautical obligations and government decisions”. It added that while major projects have been halted in France, progress is being made at other locations. “Despite significant logistical difficulties, it has been possible to maintain business activity in many countries, in compliance with health measures in force. That is particularly the case in Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, along with certain European countries and US states”, VINCI said.

In Sarajevo, construction of the airport’s new terminal building is advancing with work scheduled for completion this autumn and its opening planned for November or December of this year. The new facility, which will spread over 10.000 square metres, will feature twelve check-in desks, five gates and one air bridge. It will be linked to the existing terminal to form a single functioning unit with the capacity to handle two million passengers per year. Work has also moved landside (pictured above) with the construction of a canopy and a new access road, to be located in front of the terminals.