In 2024 through Constantine the Great Airport 357.313 passengers passed, which is almost 91.000 passengers, that is, 20 percent less than the year before, and almost 32.000 less than the number of passengers in 2022, writes "Južne vesti".
And while in 2023, a record number of passengers was recorded, which was the then mayor Niche Dragana Sotirovski cited as proof that the airport was justifiably handed over to the state, that last year the airport in Nis recorded a significant decline.
This is certainly a consequence of the smaller number of flights - there were 488 less compared to the year before.
The fewest passengers this year were in November - 20.817, and the most in August - just over 41.000. When it comes to last year, the best month was July with over 53.000 passengers, while the fewest passengers were in February - around 26.000.
Photo: TimeConstantin Veliki Airport in Nis
Unfulfilled promises of the government
What has been significantly increased, as shown by the official statistics of the Nis airport, is the cargo transportation of goods by 510 percent compared to 2023. While in 2023, close to 70 tons of goods were transported from the Niš airport, in 2024, the figure is over 420 tons.
By the way, a new terminal building was opened last year, and it was announced that the second phase of the reconstruction of the airport in Niš will follow. As announced in October last year, the plan is to invest over 140 million euros in the construction of the runway, taxiway, demolition of the old and construction of a new terminal building, a new control tower and a hangar.
Whether the situation will change this year, as Irish airline Ryanair brings back flights to Stockholm and Corfu and starts flying five times a week to Malta, remains to be seen.
At the opening of the new terminal building, Vučić announced subsidies so that "low cost" companies would once again do business in Nis.
The former Minister of Transport, Goran Vesić, also announced that Air Serbia will soon introduce a commercial flight from the Niš airport. However, months pass, and there is still no information about which destinations and when or if it will happen.
Screenshot-2025-01-14-at-22.38.49-912×513Official statistics of Nis airport
Falling income
Due to the decrease in the number of flights and passengers, the income of "Konstantin Veliki" airport is also lower in 2024, which can be connected to the decrease in the number of passengers and flights.
As previously stated, in 2024, the airport served 357.313 passengers, which represents a decrease of almost 91.000 passengers or 20 percent compared to the previous year, so this decrease directly affects the total revenue of the airport, which was estimated between two and five million euros.
With airlines, such as Wizz Air, temporarily suspending certain routes, this further reduced revenue generation opportunities.
It is expected that the opening of the new terminal building in Niš will help increase revenue through additional services and commercial spaces. However, until that happens, it is questionable how the airport's business will be this year.
Source: Southern News
