March 10, 2019 – At Zadar airport on March 7, 2019, in the presence of Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenković, an agreement was signed between the Minister of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure and the Zadar airport, which regulates financing the project to overhaul the airport facilities. Namely, Zadar airport will extend the runway by 700 meters, and expand the terminal building and apron so they could handle long haul flights, reports AvioRadar and Ex Yu Aviation.
“This is a strategic project worth more than 500 million kuna (70 million euro),” said the Minister of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, adding that this agreement resolves the legal property relations so that it could extend the runway by 700 meters. The Croatian government will also assist in financing the project.
“When the project documentation is complete, the project will also be submitted for EU funds,” Butković added.
Josip Klišmanić, the general manager of Zadar airport, said that the necessary project documentation would be obtained this year to ensure works begin as quickly as possible, though there is no deadline for the project’s completion as of yet.
Defense Minister Damir Krstičević even said that the Croatian Army, using the expanded USS and operational areas, will gain new capabilities and fully support this project.
Recall, Zadar has planned to handle long haul flights for years, as they specifically hoped to welcomed flights from China. The airport, however, gave up hope two years ago.
In other news, Zadar airport welcomed 603,819 passengers in 2018 and will celebrate 50 years in 2019. The airport also hopes to welcome an additional 100,000 passengers this year.
In 2019, Ryanair will introduce eight new routes, EasyJet will launch two, and Iberia Express, Air Serbia, Transavia, Laudamotion and Condor will begin seasonal flights to Zadar this summer. Thus, 16 airlines will operate 51 flights to 31 destinations in Europe from Zadar, adds Ex Yu Aviation.
Zadar airport now follows the footsteps of Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split in carrying out a significant airport overhaul.
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