While most of the limelight is on Belgrade and Zagreb, Pristina Airport has managed to significantly increase passenger numbers over the past few years and is looking stronger than ever in 2013. In addition, the former Yugoslavia’s third busiest airport is set open the doors of its new multi million euro terminal by year’s end, which it hopes will further boost traffic and passenger flow. In the first quarter, Kosovo’s main airport saw its figures boom 19% while in February and March numbers rose over 27%. The airport handled just over 349.000 passengers in the first three months. The growth is being driven, amongst other things, by a strong increase in the number of operated flights, up by 15%.
The busiest carrier at Pristina Airport was Belleair Europe, which was the airline of choice for 64.030 passengers. Germanwings came in second with 36.115 travellers. Adria Airways, which also calls Pristina its home, carried over 20.000 passengers and was the fifth busiest airline at the airport, behind Germania and easyJet but ahead of Darwin Airlines, Edelweiss, Turkish Airlines and Belair. The most popular destination from Pristina was Zurich with a combined total of both inbound and outbound passengers standing at 80.000. The route has seen a 27% boost in passenger numbers so far this year. Istanbul (both Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports) was the second most popular destination with some 40.000 passengers. Dusseldorf and Munich were next in line with over 30.000 travellers.
Meanwhile, construction of the airport’s new terminal and control tower are progressing, with construction to be completed by the end of the year. The new terminal stretches over 45.000 square metres with the building featuring three air bridges. Furthermore, a new apron and car park with the ability to serve 1.750 vehicles are also under construction. Pristina handled 1.527.134 passenger in 2012, up 7.4% on the year before.