Ohrid Airport a construction zone

Ohrid Airport

Ohrid’s St. Paul the Apostle Airport is one big construction zone as work on the expansion of the airport and the reconstruction of its terminal building, which commenced at the beginning of September, continues. The airport’s operator, TAV, plans for the construction work to be completed by March 2011. The project’s chief engineer, Jurgen Kurtaj from Tirana, told the “Utrinski Vesnik” newspaper that Ohrid will have the capacity to handle many aircraft. “During the summer approximately 15 aircraft landed at Ohrid per week but when the reconstruction is completed we expect the number to be much greater”. TAV is also hoping that passenger numbers will triple and that Ohrid will manage to steal away airlines and customers from nearby Priština and Tirana.

Currently, a 1.000 square meter hanger and a 2.000 square meter VIP lounge are under construction at Ohrid. The airport has already received a 6.000 square meter parking lot. The main terminal building is next to go under the hammer. TAV is investing 200 million Euros into Skopje and Ohrid airports. Currently, at Skopje, foundations are being laid for the new terminal building while its runway is being extended.

In July, Ohrid handled 7.341 passengers, a decrease of 4.2% from last year while Skopje welcomed 90.269 passengers, a strong surge of 17%.