Charter flights to Morava Airport announced

Construction work on the terminal building at Kraljevo’s Morava Airport is progressing as the government announces that the airport, situated in Central Serbia, will be served by charter flights this summer season. Exterior work on the new 3.000 square meter terminal building is almost complete. The lengthening of the existing runway is expected to take place next month, with all construction work set to be finished by late March. “The first charter flights out of Kraljevo will be taking off in April at the latest”, Rasim Ljajić, Serbia’s Minister of Labour and Social Policy, said yesterday. He stressed the importance of the airport for the region. “No one will invest in this part of Serbia without adequate infrastructure in place”, Ljajić added. It is speculated that the airport will see summer charters to Turkey.

Morava Airport lies between three larger cities, Kraljevo, Čačak and Kragujevac, and has a catchment area of some two million people. A total of 32 million Euros has been invested in the project which has seen the construction of a new control tower, terminal, apron and runway lengthening. The Government of Turkey has invested ten million into the project while the rest has been financed by the Serbian government and Belgrade Airport which will also be providing necessary equipment.

Cargo centre to accompany new terminal

The United States has agreed to partially finance the construction of a cargo centre at Serbia’s newest airport in Kraljevo. The agreement between the United States and nearby towns, which are all set to benefit from the new project, should be signed in December. Morava Airport lies between three larger cities - Kraljevo, Kragujevac and Čačak, all of which are industrial towns and would profit from a nearby cargo centre. Furthermore, it is believed that a cargo centre will make the entire airport project more viable.

Although a promotional flight between Belgrade and Kraljevo was carried out in October, construction work is ongoing on the airport’s passenger terminal which stretches over 5.000 square metres. The new control tower has been completed while the runway lengthening is scheduled to begin in January in order to accommodate larger jets. A total of 34 million Euros has been invested into the project. Since all of the construction work is meeting its projected deadlines, the airport is set to open in time for the 2012 summer season, at the end of March. A total of 150 people will be employed while all necessary equipment will be provided by Belgrade Airport.

The local authorities have said that the new airport will be able to attract airlines from both Turkey and Germany next summer. Kraljevo is located in central Serbia, 125 kilometres from Belgrade and Priština, 185 kilometres from Sarajevo and 200 kilometres from Skopje. According to the Serbian government the airport has a catchment of 2 million people and with the new cargo centre in the works is also likely to attract cargo traffic.

Belgrade figures continue to rise

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport recorded strong growth in October 2011 despite a fall in the number of operated flights. The airport handled 272.673 passengers, an increase of 20.6% compared to the same month last year. The figure is even more impressive when it is taken into account that the airport saw a total of 3.750 arrivals and departures compared to 3.849 last year, a decrease of 2.5%. The airport is hoping that the strong figures will continue with SkyWork Airlines inaugurating flights from Bern yesterday while Flydubai will begin services to Belgrade on November 10 with four weekly flights. On the other hand, Tunisair, which was to launch flights from Monastir to the Serbian capital for the winter season has decided against the move and will keep its Tunis - Belgrade service instead. So far this year, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has recorded a total of 2.691.836 passengers and, as a result, should just surpass its goal of three million passengers by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Niš Constantine the Great Airport handled 2.683 passengers in October. With its only scheduled flights being services from Podgorica operated by Montenegro Airlines, Niš welcomed a total of 20.748 passengers so far this year. It is on course to surpass last year’s result when it saw a total of 23.627 passengers.

Construction of the new passenger terminal at Morava Airport in Kraljevo is in full swing with all construction deadlines to be met. Although the airport has been officially opened, it should handle its first flights from April 1, if it manages to attract customers. Work on the extension of the existing runway should begin early next year.

Jat lands in Kraljevo

Morava Airport in Kraljevo handled its first passengers on Wednesday as Jat Airways operated a promotional flight from Belgrade. The first passengers to set foot at Serbia’s newest international airport were President Boris Tadić and Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac along with other officials. The President toured the airport site and inspected construction work on the 5.000 square meter terminal building. He also visited the newly built air traffic control tower. “This entire region of Serbia has now received a new airport which will be at the disposal of its citizens but will also fuel further investment into the region”, President Tadić said.

Regular flights from Morava should begin next March as the airport’s runway will be lengthened to handle larger aircraft in time for the 2012 summer season. A total of 32 million Euros has been invested into the project. A Jat Airways ATR72 (registered YU-ALN) was used to ferry the President and other officials from Belgrade to Kraljevo and back. Thanks to the VIP passengers, the aircraft was completely refurbished with new leather seats although the airline claims that its entire ATR fleet will receive a new look with the next aircraft, registered YU-ALP, to feature the new interior as well. The flight from Belgrade to Kraljevo took thirty minutes.

First passengers at Morava Airport

Part of Morava Airport, known as Ladjevci, will continue to be used for military purposes. Some have criticised the project as a political stunt ahead of the first anniversary of the Kraljevo earthquake and next year’s parliamentary elections. They argue the airport won’t be viable. On the other hand, the government says the airport will see flights to Turkey and Germany next summer. The Government of Turkey invested 10 million Euros into the project.

September growth for Belgrade as Kraljevo opens its doors

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport handled 316.711 passengers this September, an increase of 15.4% compared to the same month last year. As a result, September was the airport’s third busiest month after July and August. The number of flights operated to and from the airport was virtually the same as last year. The September growth can be attributed to several factors. They include a growing number of people travelling and several major international events which took place in the city. During the month, Belgrade was host to the summit of the Non Aligned Movement which saw over 100 delegations and members of the press. Furthermore, the city hosted a European Union forum and the European Volleyball Championship for Women. So far this year Nikola Tesla Airport has welcomed 2.419.163 passengers.

Serbia’s main airport received good news during the week after LOT Polish Airlines decided to extend its flights from Warsaw to the Serbian capital throughout the winter. Originally, the airline planned to suspend the flights during the winter period due to highly seasonal passenger movement. Flights will operate three times per week and will be code shared by Jat.

Meanwhile, today will mark an important day for another airport in Serbia. Morava Airport in Kraljevo will handle its first flight. A Jat Airways ATR72 is expected to land in Kraljevo sometime during the day, carrying government officials and investors. More about this on the blog later on in the week.

First flight to Kraljevo at the end of October

Construction work on Kraljevo’s Morava Airport is coming to an end with the first promotional flight to take place next month. It is expected that a Jat Airways ATR72 will operate the promotional service at the end of October carrying government officials and others which have participated in the financing of Serbia’s newest international airport. However, scheduled and charter traffic won’t take off until March next year. Currently, the airport can facilitate smaller aircraft up to 100 seats. Work on the lengthening of the airport’s runway should be carried out over the winter months so Morava can handle larger aircraft come summer 2012. The government insists that the project is worthwhile and that the airport will be able to attract flights to Turkey and Germany. Working in the airport’s favour is its central location. Morava Airport lies between three larger cities - Kraljevo, Kragujevac and Čačak, all of which are industrial towns. Furthermore, the airport is also located close to communities which have strong links with Turkey. According to a feasibility study, the airport has a catchment area of 2 million people.

A total of 32 million Euros has been invested in the project which has seen the construction of a new control tower, terminal, apron and runway lengthening. The Government of Turkey invested 10 million into the project while the rest has been financed by the Serbian government and Belgrade Airport which will also be providing necessary equipment.

In most former Yugoslav states, airports outside of the capital city have had little success. This is particularly true for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. This is not to say that they do not have potential. The airport in Kraljevo is a military base and part of it will continue to be used for military purposes. The airport was badly damaged in 1999.

Construction work at Kraljevo Airport ongoing

Work on Serbia’s newest airport in Kraljevo, named Morava, is ongoing and on schedule. Construction work is currently being carried out on the control tower and terminal building with the airport set to open in time for the 2011/12 winter season, which begins on October 30. From November, smaller aircraft such as the ATR72 will be able to use the airport and its facilities. From the 2012 summer season larger passenger jets will have the ability to land as the runway will be lengthened. This winter, some 50 people will be employed by the airport while another 150 will find employment next summer.



Morava Airport is being built on the grounds of the Ladjevci military air base. Part of the airport will continue to be used for military purposes. The construction of the new airport, which amounts to 32 million Euros, began this spring. The Serbian Government has invested some 14 million Euros into the project while a considerable amount, up to 10 million Euros, has been provided by the Government of Turkey. Other investors include Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport and the Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Control Agency.



Morava Airport lies between 3 larger cities – Kraljevo, Čačak and Kragujevac. The Serbian Ministry of Defence said last week that the airport has a catchment of 2 million people and is also likely to attract cargo airlines. However, there is scepticism whether the airport will be able to attract any passenger traffic. Niš, located in Eastern Serbia, has so far been unable to handle more than 36.000 passengers in a year since its reopening in 2004. Others argue that the airport’s proximity to Kragujevac, where the Fiat auto maker is based, and its close proximity to the Kopaonik mountain resort will be enough to lure an airline or two.

Work begins on Kraljevo’s Morava Airport terminal

The construction of a 3.000 square metre terminal building in Kraljevo has begun and is set to be completed this October, allowing the airport to open in time for the 2011/2012 winter season. Three local companies have been given the job to construct the building. The price tag for the entire project amounts to 22.2 million Euros, while necessary equipment needed for the control tower and terminal building will be provided by both the Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services Agency and Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Local authorities have stated that interest has been shown for flights to commence from Kraljevo to Turkey and Germany once the airport is completed. The Turkish Embassy in Serbia has donated 10 million Euros for the project. Furthermore, there is hope that due to the relative closeness of the Kopaonik Mountain resort and the city of Kragujevac, which is home to the Fiat car maker factory, the airport could secure decent passenger figures. Similar hopes were held for Niš Airport as well, which opened for commercial traffic in 2004, following its reconstruction. However, the airport handled only 23.627 passengers last year and in the first six months of 2011 welcomed 9.847 passengers. Montenegro Airlines, the airport’s sole operator, is subsidised for its flights to the city in Serbia’s east.

Kraljevo is located in central Serbia, 125 kilometres from Belgrade and Priština, 185 kilometres from Sarajevo and 200 kilometres from Skopje. It remains to be seen whether it will manage to attract any airlines or passenger. Kraljevo was rocked by a strong earthquake last year which caused city wide damage. The airport’s opening should coincide with the first anniversary since the earthquake.

Kraljevo’s Morava Airport to open this year

Construction of Kraljevo Airport in Central Serbia is continuing with the project recently receiving a financial boost from the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade. The Turkish Government will donate 10 million Euros for the construction of a passenger terminal at the former military airbase to be known as Morava Airport. The Serbian Government believes that the airport in Kraljevo will be able to attract airlines and passengers despite the fact that nearby Niš has been unable to do so for several years. Some 2 million live within 70 kilometres from the airport, a sizeable catchment area in the eyes of the government, keen to profit from the airport’s opening in a pre-election year. Furthermore, many Bosniaks living in the area often travel to Turkey and use Priština Airport. The idea is for them to use the airport in Kraljevo instead. The price tag of the entire project is just over 22 million Euros and the Turkish donation will cover the entire cost as the rest of the finances have been secured.

Once the project is completed it should be able to handle aircraft with a capacity to seat 100 people. Morava Airport is just one of the many airport expansion or construction projects in the region with a new terminal being built in Skopje and Priština, a new terminal expected to be built in Zagreb while the terminal buildings at Pula and Split airports are also set to be expanded, more of which you will be able to read on Source : EXYU aviation news : http://exyuaviation.blogspot.com soon.

Morava Airport

Serbia’s newest airport, based in Kraljevo, will see its first passenger aircraft land in late September, the Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac announced yesterday. Work is ongoing on the construction of the civilian part of the airport. The other part, known as Ladjevci, is a military air base and was mostly destroyed in 1999. Minister Šutanovac said that the construction of Morava Airport is one of the top infrastructure priorities of the year, stating that aircraft with a capacity to carry 100 passengers will be able to land there. He also noted that the airport will have a lot of potential since some 2 million people live within a 70 kilometre radius. Furthermore, many Bosniaks living in the area often travel to Turkey and use Priština Airport instead. The Minister says that the idea is to get passengers to use Morava Airport. Serbia’s Prime Minister is set to discuss about future investments into the airport with his Turkish counterpart on a visit to the country today. Meanwhile, the Serbian Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government talked up Morava Airport’s cargo potential, since a lot of industry is located in the area.

The price tag of the project amounts to 22.2 million Euros, not including the control tower equipment which will be provided by the Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services Agency. Construction of the airport’s terminal building will begin in April and will be partly financed by the government and partly by Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.