July 18 (SeeNews) - France's Vinci Airports has officially launched a 730 million euro ($820 million) project for the modernisation of the Nikola Tesla airport in Serbia's capital Belgrade, it said.
The investments will be made throughout the 25-year concession period of Nikola Tesla airport and are aimed to enable it to ultimately serve 15 million passengers, Vinci Airports said in a statement earlier this week.
The modernisation works will be carried out in synergy with Vinci Construction Grands Projets and will raise the airport's quality of service to the highest international standards, Vinci Airports said.
The project was officially launched on July 16 by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Serbia, Vinci Airports added.
"Over the coming 25 years we will work closely with the Serbian authorities as a key partner of the country's economy. The goal of Vinci Airports is to make Belgrade the future hub in Southeast Europe," Vinci Airports president Nicolas Notebaert said in the statement.
Moreover, Vinci Airports will launch AirPact, its environmental policy, which includes wastewater management, waste management and development of solar energy at Belgrade airport, the company said.
Vinci Airports officially took over the management of Belgrade airport in December. In March 2018, the French company signed a 25-year concession contract covering the airport’s financing, operation, maintenance, extension and upgrade.
The Belgrade airport serviced 2.611 million passengers in the first half of 2019, up 5.9% on the year.
($ = 0.89029 euro)