EU funds to be used for second phase of works on Dubrovnik airport

Representatives of the Dubrovnik Airport and group of bidders including the Company for Split Roads, Strabag and Elektrocentar Petek, signed an agreement in Dubrovnik for works on infrastructure and suprastructure of the Dubrovnik Airport worth 1.125 billion kuna (approximately 150 million euros), of which 858 million kuna (approximately 114.5 million euros) will be financed through non-returnable money from EU funds.

This is the second phase on the Dubrovnik Airport Development project and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, attended the ceremonial signing of the agreement on construction.

“This is a great moment today because we are signing the biggest contract that is being co-financed by the EU. I am also happy that we will soon be signing an even bigger contract and that will be the Pelješac Bridge, naturally after the tender is complete. These investments will have a big influence on the GDP and this should give us the strength and faith for future generations to remain in Croatia”, said Butković.

The director of the Dubrovnik Airport, Roko Tolić, noted that the project includes reconstruction of takeoff and landing strips, new parking lots, a modern fuel plant that will be the first of its kind in Croatia, a new management building, a sewage system and numerous smaller projects.

“Already at the end of the summer schedule flights works will begin. The takeoff and landing strip was built in 1962 and saw serious damage during the Homeland War. It was not thoroughly repaired and now is the right time to take on this important task”, said Tolić. He added that the contract to allocate non-returnable funds from the European Union for a continuation of the project and works on its second phase was signed in April of this year.

Tolić announced that this will also be a record year for the airport. “I believe that we will gather again at the end of September when we expect our two millionth passenger”, he said.

The Dubrovnik airport saw an 18% increase in passengers this year in comparison to the same time last year and completion of the development project, which is being co-financed through EU funds, will additionally increase capacities.

The first phase of the project - construction of the passenger terminal, worth 476 million kuna (approximately 63.5 million euros) was completed in May of this year while the overall project worth 220 million euros should be completed by April 2019.

Source: HRT