Belgrade Airport in 2009

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Terminal 2

In 2009, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport was severely affected by the global financial crisis with passenger numbers decreasing by 10% compared to 2008. All of the 12 months in 2009 recorded a slump in the number of handled passengers, compared to 2008. Even with Belgrade hosting the world’s largest sporting event of the year in July 2009, the airport did not manage to post a passenger increase. However, on December 19 2009 visa restrictions to Schengen Zone countries for Serbian citizens was abolished and the airport recorded a passenger decrease of only 0.7% during that month. Travel is on the up and in December the airport handled 161.497 passengers compared to 162.690 in 2008. In total, in 2009, the airport handled 2.384.077 passengers, compared to 2.650.048 in 2008. Despite the slump, the airport still handled the most passengers in the former Yugoslavia.

The management of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is largely unfazed by the 2009 result saying that in 2010 Belgrade will have the highest growth in the region. An official statement from the airport reads “At Nikola Tesla Airport travel towards European destinations has been significantly increased since the abolishment of visa restrictions for Serbian citizens. Travel to Europe has been increased by 20%”. The airport also released data showing that since December 19 travel to Milan has seen the biggest increase (45%), followed by Munich (44%), Prague (40%), Rome (32%) and Vienna (30%).

In 2009 the airport handled the most passengers in the month of July (308.710) and the least in February (130.687).