Belgrade Airport sees “light at the end of the tunnel”


Belgrade Nikola Tesla expects to handle up to 50% of its 2019 traffic if the recent positive trends continue. Speaking at the Southeast Europe Aviation Summit this week, Belgrade Airport’s General Manager, Francois Berisot, said, “It’s been a big challenge to assess anything in this environment. The starting point is very low for us, we lost 70% of our traffic last year. The beginning of this year - January and February - were not more than 30% of what we used to have. The good thing is that we are seeing signs of a light at the end of the tunnel. I need to thank the government of Serbia because the pace of the vaccinations is really a blessing for us. What we want is to prove to the world, starting with people in Serbia and Belgrade, that it is safe to travel and that they can travel again. Of course, it does not depend only on us. Conditions to enter other countries, isolation and tests need to be taken into account … so we are doing all we can to enable traffic from here. We can see some good signs right now. Airlines, starting with Air Serbia, are increasing their summer program with more flights and destinations so we are seeing things happening. We are hoping these are the first signs of a real summer season. If we are lucky and we have this summer season, we hope we will reach about 50% of our usual activity that we used to see in 2019. It still seems low so it’s not the end. But if we are there, it will be a great achievement for us”.


The Serbian market is among the better performing in Europe at the moment. During this month, the amount of offered capacity compared to the May of 2019 stands at 48.7%, well ahead of all Western European markets, the first being Norway at 35.7% of capacity. “The beginning of 2020 was great for us. We were having significant double digit growth. We were starting construction work. All was great but suddenly everything changed literally overnight. We were preparing for the busiest summer season. We lost 70% of our traffic, which was a gamechanger because we were preparing for the busiest year. Suddenly, our traffic was down. Did that change anything? No. We still have the same belief. Nikola Tesla still has the same potential. This is just a hick-up in its history. We’ve tried to make it an opportunity as much as we could and we did, because some of the works that were difficult to plan and organise in the middle of heavy traffic were easier to perform. The key point is we never stopped working, for the airlines and for the passengers. That’s why we are where we are today. Everyone can see the new building growing and we are really building the future and its coming, Covid or no Covid”, Mr Berisot explained. 


Despite the ongoing difficulties, the airport has not postponed or delayed its expansion project, the first phase of which should be completed by the end of the year. “It’s a major project for us and Serbia. Big things are already happening. It’s an investment but also a partnership. We are very proud to be partners with the government of Serbia. It will be a big change for the airport. We believe in Nikola Tesla Airport and we believe in this potential of being a capital city airport and a hub for Air Serbia. That’s the main target for us”, the General Manager noted. He added, “We want to achieve the potential of the airport, but to do that we are basing all we are doing in pillars. The first one we are doing is improvements. We really want to improve in all possible ways, and it has started. We have already changed the look inside the terminal and the passenger flow. It’s only the beginning. The deep renovation of the facilities are coming. The goal for this year is to continue with these improvements and increase capacity. We will finish the building under construction by the end of this year, which will bring tremendous change for us, not only just new facilities, but big improvement because it is a state of the art building, it will increase our capacity and it is for the future. Our goal is not tomorrow. Because of Covid, tomorrow we don’t need this capacity, but our goal is after tomorrow. We want to bring Air Serbia a tool for their development. We will also start the next phase for us, which is the expansion of the main building. Passengers who are familiar with our airport are already seeing some changes. We are deviating roads, closing car parks… These are signs of the beginning of a new big phase where the building will be much wider and bigger. There will be significantly more check in counters, a greater commercial offer and space. I believe that by the end of this no one will recognise the airport. It will take more than this year, probably around two or three”.


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    So they expect around 3 million passengers this year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      Yes, that would be around 50% of 2019 levels

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:27

      This is more than I expected. I was guessing around 2 million could be achieved this year. I guess it all depends on how summer goes.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:29

      This will depend on the EU limitations. It will also depend on the gastos and whether or not they are considering visiting their home countries. This will also mean people will less prefer to make transfers and stick to a direct, non-stop flight if they can.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:32

      I think gastos in particular will travel this year after most couldn't last year.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:38

      I think so too

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:55

      From last week gastos can return to Germany without going into quarantine, from Serbia that is. LH already upgraded MUC on Fridays to A319. This is good news.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:50

      Switzerland has also ended 10 day quarantine for those returning from Serbia.

      Delete
    8. JATBEGMEL14:28

      JU will go back to operating double daily to ZRH next week.

      Delete
  2. Nemjee09:03

    Good news is that the EU gave the green light for the Chinese vaccine. That should help out with demand. Cyprus has already accepted it so demand should start recovering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      Hey Nemjee, what's the source of your info that the EU has given the green light to the Chinese vaccine? Can you share please? Thanks

      Delete
    2. Vlad09:23

      Nemjee's phrasing is a bit off, but the message is essentially correct. The EU didn't approve the Chinese vaccine as such, but said that external borders would be opened for non-essential travel for people vaccinated with EU- and WHO-approved vaccines (Sinopharm being the latter). Therefore, individual countries will be encouraged to accept it. Only the Russian one remains in limbo.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:45

      Thanks for clarifying Vlad!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:56

      Love this news especially since aviation didn't collapse in Serbia. It's easier to upgrade a route than to revive it guys.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:55

      Spain is opening its doors like Cyprus from 07.06.2021

      Delete
    6. Anonymous20:31

      Will JU resume MAD and BCN ?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:04

    Is it just me, or do they seem to be saying that the main reason this whole project is happening is because of Air Serbia?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      Makes perfect sense

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:23

      With the building complete this year, I really hope we see JU grow its long haul network.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:30

      Didn't the Croatian government give guarantees in case OU goes bankrupt?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:32

      ^ I'm sorry what does that have to do with Belgrade Airport?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:56

      It shows that an airport depends on the biggest carrier, it's not exclusive to Serbia.

      Delete
    6. JATBEGMEL14:37

      JU is one of the reasons. Overall, the growing amount of flights during JU waves are making gate spaces limited. The additional capacity will allow both JU and other airlines to grow at BEG. The new gates on Concourse C will allow for better handling of widebody aircraft, thus reducing the effect handling multiple widebodies have at BEG - taking multiple narrow body gate spaces.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    Today is not that bad at all 54 scheduled departures

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:15

      Not bad at all!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      Yes, for these times that's a very good number of flights.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:08

    I see that KL cancel their flight to BEG. Demand still didn't recover I guess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      What nonsense are you talking about? They have flights on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. No flight has been cancelled. Yesterday flight operated normally.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      Poor fail @09.08. Try again.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:14

      Well you have to have the "dežurni pljuvač" even if he makes things up.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:25

      Lots of Chinese on the KLM flights so far.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:39

      Flights increase to daily from 11 June.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:56

      At least that's the plan for now.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:58

      ^ you first claimed they cancelled flights.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:19

    Markets are slowly reopening. Things will get better.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:21

    The work at the airport is really progressing well. Was flying out recently. Most of the A gates are now closed and they a re building the third floor. New building also seems to be going well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JATBEGMEL14:38

      Cant wait to see gates A6-A10 finally renovated.

      Delete
    2. Been waiting for that to happen for years, many years.
      In the summer it's like a claustrophobic sauna down there.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:21

    Fingers crossed

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:22

    Considering the situation having 10 new routes is quite an achievement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      There will be more

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:23

    Hope things turn for the better.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:23

    Anyone know pax numbers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      "Nikola Tesla Airport saw its passenger numbers decline 27.8% compared to 2020 or 51.1% compared to same period during the pre-pandemic 2019."

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2021/05/anadolujet-and-nordwind-plan-new.html

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:30

    Congratulations BEG

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous09:36

    "During this month, the amount of offered capacity compared to the May of 2019 stands at 48.7%, well ahead of all Western European markets, the first being Norway at 35.7% of capacity."

    Very interesting. Wonder who is first

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:36

      It`s The Kingdom of Norway.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:37

      It's not Norway. Read what is says. Norway was the first in Western Europe but it says BEG was "well ahead of all Western European markets, the first being Norway at 35.7% of capacity."

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:37

      Romania seems the be the no.1 in recovering capacity in May compared to 2019

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:42

    Is it me or is Wizz lagging behind the competition?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      It's you. They will have 4 new routes from BEG this summer. That's more than any other airline.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:44

    Tomorrow there are 7 flights to Hurghada from Belgrade!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:51

      wow I’m still surprised how Hurghada became popular among Serbian tourists

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      Truth be told, it has been popular for a good 20 years now.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:58

      6 operated by Air Serbia and one by Air Cairo.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:40

      There is a pic on the net from the start of this month with 4 Air Serbia planes at Hurghada Airport. Looked more like BEG :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:10

      You got a link for that? Missed that foto somehow.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous17:13

      https://ibb.co/Rcdmb1X

      Delete
    7. Anonymous17:30

      Thanks man.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:55

    Recovery will be long and hard everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:33

      No doubt. We'll have to wait and see what happens when restrictions are removed. Demand should rise quickly.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:02

    some optimistic signs

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous10:03

    It would be interesting to see what is the busiest market at the moment from BEG. Is it still Switzerland?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:05

      My guess it's Montenegro.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:18

      No, Montenegro actually isn't even close in May. It's Istnabul.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:18

      *Istanbul

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:31

      That's interesting. Thanks

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:50

      Wednesday is Istanbul day at Belgrade airport, even Air Serbia sends the Airbus 319.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:05

    Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:14

    What is happening with ESB-BEG and LED-BEG flights by Sun Express and Nordwind respectively? Will they start?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:16

      It's not Sun Express it's Anadolujet and you have news about it just the other day.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:40

    How many passengers did BEG have last year?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous10:41

    I'm glad they haven't downsized the project despite corona.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:54

    According to Eurocontrol, air traffic not expected to return to pre-Covid levels in Europe until 2025.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:29

      I think it is difficult to make any long term predictions. Demand in the US and China is already at 2019 levels.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:31

      As soon as all restrictions are lifted for Europe wide travel then we will see how fast the recovery will be.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous11:26

    I really hope some airline will launch BEG-LIS. As I have read here it is Belgrade's number 1 unserved route in Europe based on indirect passenger numbers. Such a shame Wizz didn't go through with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:29

      Would be nice. And it's a VINCI airport too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:26

      Wonder if Vinci offers extra incentives when two of their airports are involved for potential direct flights.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:29

      I believe Wizz Air was freed of all charges for one season to operate Lyon-Belgrade. But as soon as that discount ended they stopped the flights.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous11:30

    How many airlines are currently flying to BEG?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:54

      At the moment 19.

      Air Serbia, Air Cairo, Aeroflot, Austrian, Belavia, easyJet, El Al, Flydubai, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Nordwind, Pegasus, Qatar Airways, SkyUp, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Windrose and Wizz Air

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:52

      You forgot Aegean :)

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:54

      Correct, my mistake. So 20 airlines.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:33

      Next month they will be joined by Luxair, Air France, Norwegian.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:33

      and Air Montenegro :D

      Delete
    6. Anonymous15:21

      Air France and Luxair to start flying soon.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous17:53

      Really? Thats good news!
      Havent heard anything from AF for a long time,was thus thinking that route will not come back this year.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous18:00

      First flight is on 23rd of June.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous11:52

    If current rates hold, in 10 days Serbia will have under the EU infection rate per 100,000 citizens meaning it will be put on the safe list of third countries for travel into the EU. This will really help BEG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vlad13:35

      Latest reports indicate that the threshold will be a weekly incidence of 75 per 100.000 people. At the moment Serbia is at around 65 with a downward trend.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:41

      At this moment Serbia is on 77.3 in last 7 days.

      The problem might be that EU is talking about infection rate in last 14 days so therefore it might get longer Serbia to get on "green list".

      Delete
  27. Anonymous13:06

    wow the airport will look amazing! Love the video

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:32

      Agree. Looks very nice

      Delete
  28. Anonymous13:07

    Good job BEG. Loving the way the new airport will look like.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous15:08

    Good to see more flights and routes resuming
    Today Air Serbia restored Thessaloniki. 5x per week.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous15:50

    It will take probably around two or three years for terminal central extension to be completed. That could mean we can experience everything shown in the video at the earliest spring of 2023 or at the latest spring of 2024. Let's hope for the former.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. Important thing now is that they are building.
      And if the build, they will come. ;-)

      Delete
  31. I think BEG needs one nice hotel nearby. I wonder if they can sort that it accepts passengers from international area, too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous09:27

    I wish they would fix the bathrooms already. I landed a couple of weeks ago and the one in the baggage arrival area is disgusting. Come on guys, it's not that expensive to fix the toilets and get the air dryer working.

    ReplyDelete

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