Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is facing another development step: according to recent industry reports, part of Terminal 1 will be transformed, a new international bus gate may be created, while the expansion of Terminal 2 is also progressing. At first glance, this seems like Serbian infrastructure news, but it is noteworthy for Hungarian travelers as well: Belgrade is becoming an increasingly strong regional hub, which can provide an alternative for Balkan, Southern European, and long-haul routes.
The development does not directly mean that every passenger will receive a new route or a completely different airport experience in the coming weeks. Rather, it is another stage in a process where the Serbian capital's airport is gradually transforming from its previous, partly cramped infrastructure into a larger, more efficient regional gateway capable of handling more flights. The question is not only how many new gates are being built, but also how this can improve departure punctuality, the transfer experience, and the growth opportunities for airlines.
What Could Change in Terminal 1?
According to an EX-YU Aviation report from May 27, the Serbian Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure has issued site-specific conditions for the reconstruction and transformation of part of Terminal 1 at Belgrade Airport. The essence of the plan is the creation of a new international bus gate in the ground floor corridor section of the terminal's A-wing. A third exit, A7c, may be added alongside the current A7a and A7b gates.
Based on the report, the work would take place within the existing footprint of the building, meaning it is not a classic structural expansion, but rather an internal space reconfiguration, a new passenger flow solution, and a new exit created on the facade facing the apron. This is important because bus gates help serve remote stands. If an airport can use more such gates effectively, it can handle peak periods, low-cost and regional flights, and situations where not every aircraft can dock at a jet bridge, more flexibly.
Meanwhile, the Expansion of Terminal 2 is Progressing
The planned transformation of Terminal 1 is not a standalone, isolated project. The expansion of Terminal 2 continues at Belgrade Airport, where three new jet-bridge gates and additional aircraft stands are being created. According to the industry summary, gates C15-C18 will be added to the C-wing, several of which may operate with jet bridges, while C18 may serve as a remote bus gate for Code C category aircraft.
The development may also include taxiway extension, new service roads, stormwater drainage and paving work, external lighting, new energy and control systems, as well as the installation of moving walkways. These details may seem technical at first, but they can have very practical consequences for passengers: shorter internal walking distances, clearer passenger flow, faster boarding, less congestion, and better reserve capacity if traffic spikes.
Why is This Interesting from a Hungarian Perspective?
From Hungary, Belgrade is not as primary an airport choice as Budapest, Vienna, or for some travelers in western Hungary, Bratislava, but the role of the Serbian capital is changing rapidly. Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is one of the most important air hubs in the Balkans, used by Air Serbia as a hub, and has built up more European, Middle Eastern, and long-haul connections in recent years.
For Hungarian travelers, this may be relevant in several situations. For those from Southern Hungary or regions close to the border, Belgrade can be a realistic alternative for certain routes, especially if a Balkan, Mediterranean, or overseas flight from Budapest is more expensive, rarer, or available with a less favorable transfer. Those who would not depart from Belgrade should also follow the airport's development, as competition between regional hubs indirectly affects the offerings in Budapest and Vienna.
Belgrade is Strengthening as a Regional Hub
According to the airport's official March summary, since the start of the VINCI Airports concession, passenger traffic at Nikola Tesla Airport has increased by nearly 60 percent compared to 2018, the number of served destinations has risen from approximately 60 to over 100, and more than 360 million euros in investments have been realized. In recent years, the airport has strengthened its operations with a renovated main runway, new taxiways, more gates, modernized terminal sections, centralized security screening, and expanded parking capacity.
This background helps to understand why this is not just cosmetic work. At airports, the number of gates, the availability of stands, the capacity of security screening, and the organization of ground handling determine how much an airline can densify its schedule, open new destinations, or deploy larger aircraft. If Belgrade offers more gates and better passenger flow, it can compete more easily with other hubs in the region.
What Could This Mean for the Passenger Experience?
The impact of terminal developments often does not appear as a spectacular ribbon-cutting ceremony, but as small but important improvements in the passenger experience. A new bus gate, for example, is not necessarily exciting news on its own, but it can matter a lot during a morning or evening peak, when several narrow-body aircraft depart around the same time. If remote stands can be served faster, boarding congestion may be lower, and airlines will have more room to maneuver.
For transfer passengers, predictability is especially important. Belgrade may appear as an option for several routes where the Hungarian traveler is not looking for a direct flight, but wants to reach the Balkans, the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, or certain overseas destinations with a single transfer. In such cases, the internal operation of the airport is at least as essential as the ticket price itself.
What Should Those Traveling Through Belgrade Pay Attention To?
During developments, it is always worth planning flexibly. Airport works do not necessarily cause daily disruptions, but routes, gates, parking solutions, or boarding processes may change temporarily. Before departure, it is advisable to check the Belgrade Airport live flight information, especially if the travel involves a tight transfer or a late evening arrival.
Those starting from Hungary by car to Belgrade must also calculate the border crossing time, as this can represent greater uncertainty during peak periods than the airport process itself. Upon arrival, it may be useful to find out in advance about Belgrade airport transfers and taxis, and for longer Serbian or Balkan tours, car rental at BEG airport can be a practical option.
Competition for Regional Passengers is Strengthening
Belgrade's developments should be seen as part of the airport competition in Central and Southeast Europe. Budapest has a large international offering and a strong low-cost presence, Vienna is traditionally a significant global hub, Zagreb and Ljubljana are trying to strengthen their own markets, and Belgrade, relying on the Air Serbia network and VINCI Airports investments, is trying to increase its regional role.
This is generally favorable for passengers: more routes, more schedule combinations, and greater price competition may emerge. At the same time, the decision becomes more complex. It is not enough to look at where the cheapest ticket is. The cost of the journey there, parking, border crossing, transfer time, baggage rules, and how quickly an alternative connection can be found in case of a delay matter. Those departing from Budapest should still check the offerings of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport first, but for certain routes, Belgrade may enter into a real comparison.
What is the Essence?
The planned transformation of Belgrade's Terminal 1 and the ongoing expansion of Terminal 2 are not revolutionary changes on their own, but they clearly show the direction of the region's air transport. Airports do not just want to handle more passengers, but are building more flexible infrastructure, better peak-period operation, and more predictable services. In the case of Belgrade, this is especially important because the airport serves Serbia's growing own demand, Air Serbia's hub model, and a portion of passengers arriving from surrounding countries.
Hungarian travelers therefore do not need to follow every Serbian airport construction project on a daily basis, but it is worth noticing the larger trend: the region's airports are developing rapidly, and choosing the right route increasingly requires a conscious comparison. Belgrade's current development indicates that Nikola Tesla Airport can be a stronger, more comfortable, and more competitive alternative for Balkan and transfer travels in the long run.
Sources: EX-YU Aviation report of May 27, 2026, on Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 developments; Belgrade Airport official project page and March 2026 summary of investments realized since the concession.