Niš Constantine the Great Airport

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{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 220px; font-size: 95%;" |- ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; background-color: #4682B4; color: white;" |Niš Constantine the Great International Airport (Niš Konstantin Veliki) |- |align="center" colspan="4"|

Niš Constantine the Great Airport (Serbian Latin: Niš Konstantin Veliki, Cyrillic: Ниш Кοнстантин Βелики) also known as Medoševac Airport, serves the city of Niš in Serbia. It is located four kilometers from the Niš city centre and is Serbia's second international airport.

Contents

1 History
2 Investments and development
3 Airlines and Destinations

3.1 Problems
3.2 Future low cost airport hub of the Balkans

4 Transportation to and from the airport
5 Airport Services
6 See also
7 Sources
8 External links

History

The airport was opened during the communist era. It was used as a military base throughout the years. During the NATO 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia, Niš Airport was bombed and not to be used for years. In 2003 the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs invested into the airport for it to be totally reconstructed. The airport was opened on October the 12th 2003 and named Niš Constantine the Great Airport. One of its busiest days was in winter of 2005 when all aircraft landing at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport were rerouted to Constantine the Great due to fog.

Investments and development

Niš Constantine the Great passenger terminal

With only a few flights a week from Niš Constantine the Great, the airport has had a successful second year of operation. It recorded around 27,000 passengers in 2005, approx 42% more than in 2004. The rate of growth is expected to be the same in 2006, only if Montenegro Airlines does not stop services in August 2006.

Niš Constantine the Great has successfully conducted TAM program (Turn Around Management) of the European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) whose goal is to improve the work of the management and strategy preparation for the development of the Niš airport. TAM program's expert, Micheal Kellaway estimated Niš Constantine the Great Airport as great potential and that with 28,000 passengers could in the next few years get to the level of 200,000 passenger a year. The director of Niš airport Radisav Radojkovic expressed his pleasure with the realization of TAM program, saying that thanks to this program of management of Constantin the Great Airport it succeeded in identifying and focusing on the most important aspects of its business according to the market's principals. Government of Serbia is investing 10 million dinars in further development of this airport.

Niš Airport had 16,000 passengers in the first six months in 2006 which is the result of successful contract of Niš Constantine the Great Airport with Montenegro Airlines.

Airlines and Destinations

Montenegro Airlines at Niš Constantine the Great Airport

Niš Constanin the Great airport receives 2-5 flights a week to Zurich, depending on demand. Thomsonfly has successfully completed their mission for winter season of 2005-2006, having 13 flights and more than 3,500 tourists, which were transported from London Gatwick, over Niš Airport to the Serbian ski center Kopaonik. A new formed company Master Airways (formed by Montenegro Airlines) are about to start their services from Niš to Frankfurt, Vienna and Tivat. Master Airways will make the airport its hub, the first airline to do so. Another new company, Aeronais is planning to be based in Niš. Starting next month many airlines offer charter services. The following airlines serve the airport.

Jat Airways
* Zurich (Zurich International Airport)

Montenegro Airlines
* Zurich (Zurich International Airport)

Problems

Niš Constantine the Great Airport is facing problems because of the absence of open skies agreement. It recorded around 27,000 passengers in 2005, approximately 42% more than in 2004. The rate of growth is expected to be the same in 2006, only if Montenegro Airlines does not stop services in August 2006. TAM program's expert, Micheal Kellaway estimated that Niš Airport has great potential and that with 28,000 passengers could in the next few years, when the open skies agreement steps into place, get to the level of 200,000 passenger a year.

Starting August 1st 2006, Montenegro Airlines will no longer be treated as domestic, but as an international airline, as Montenegro and Serbia have decided to split up. Airlines, when they are not a part of open skies Air Transport Agreement can't fly when they are registerd in one country (Montenegro), have a route that flies out of another (Serbia), and goes to a third country (Switzerland). The airline may stop services in August.

The child company of Montenegro Airlines, Master Airways is facing problems as it has not obtain the license from a State Transportation Authorities. According to the director of Niš Airport - Radisav Radojkovic, "There's a small chance that Master Airways will obtain the license from the State Transportation Authorities, because behind that institution exists a lobby with an aim to keep the monopoly of the state owned company - Jat Airways".

The state-owned company, Jat Airways, has said it will rethink its service from Niš Constantine the Great Airport. According to the director of Niš Airport, Radisav Radojkovic, Montenegro Airlines with 70% of traffic from Niš Airport defeated the state-owned company, Jat Airways which gained only a disappointing 30% of the traffic.

(The source of this news is listed in the section below)

Future low cost airport hub of the Balkans

When the open skies agreement steps into place, it will give airlines the opportunity to land without the prolonged agreements as experienced today. The open skies agreement takes effect on January 1, 2007. Ryanair has already expressed wishes to fly to Niš Constantine the Great Airport. This would open the way for other low cost airlines to start services such as easyJet.

Transportation to and from the airport

Radio-equipped taxis may be called to pick up passengers at any time and will drive to any part of the city. The airport staff can request taxi drivers that are able to communicate in English in order to make the trip more convenient for tourists. Also there are many Rent-a-Car agencies at the airport baggage claim area. Airport Niš buses also operate to the Niš city centre from the airport (line 34).

Airport Services

Airport operational hours: 24hrs on request (carriers should send their Handling Request to iniport@airportnis.co.yu or fax: 00381 18 583 003 until 1530LT on Fridays for flights planned for Sat & Sun).

Sources

External links

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