New passenger terminal of Zagreb's Franjo Tudjman Airport formally opened

A new passenger terminal of Zagreb's Franjo Tudjman Airport was formally opened on Tuesday evening with 500 guests attending, including Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and the French government's Secretary of State for European Affairs, Harlem Desir.

The terminal will be open for regular passenger transport as of 28 March.

The construction of the new EUR 300 million terminal, which is perceived as one of the major infrastructure projects in Croatia in the few past years, started three years ago, and the company Zagreb International Airport (MZLZ), holds a 30-year concession that started running in 2013.

The six-member MZLZ consists of five international companies -- Aeroports de Paris Management, Bouygues Batiment International, Fond Marguerite, IFC and TAV Airports -- plus the Croatian Viadukt construction company. The airport is owned by the Croatian government (55%), the City of Zagreb (35%), and Zagreb County and the City of Velika Gorica, each with 5%.

PM Plenkovic said the airport exuded Europe and the world of the 21st century and that it was Croatia's new gateway of which Franjo Tudjman, Croatia's first president, would have been proud. He thanked all previous Croatian governments, concessionaire investors and everyone else involved in the project which elevated Croatia to a new transport level.

"I'm sure that such a beautiful airport will contribute to Croatia's image and further increase the number of tourists in Zagreb and Croatia, but also be an incentive to complete similar projects in Split and other airports. I am happy and proud that the airport is named after Croatia's first president and that the transport infrastructure is being put in the function of citizens and tourists. I believe this airport will become a hub for Southeast Europe and contribute to boosting the economy," Plenkovic said.

He added that the government would try to boost the rest of the transport infrastructure, including the railway so that it could be at 21st century level.

Apart from PM Plenkovic, a few government ministers attended the red-ribbon-cutting ceremony, and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic said that the journey towards the construction of the new terminal was not easy, however,"all has been successfully solved."

MZLZ CEO Jacques Feron said in his speech that the construction of the new terminal was a huge challenge and a fantastic project.

French State Secretary Desir expressed satisfaction with the fact that the new airport was opened in the year when Croatia was marking the 25th anniversary of its international recognition.

"I praise the Croatian architects and builders as well as the French builders that worked here since this contributes to to the strengthening of economic and other cooperation between Croatia and France. This is an exceptional opportunity for strengthening the Croatian economy and for strengthening the international perception of Croatia as a member of the European Union," Desir said.

In attendance at the ceremony were the children of the first Croatian President and many other guests and partners of airline companies.

The new terminal spreads on 65,000 square meters on four levels, of which the first two are intended for arrivals and the other two for departures. It will consists of eight passenger boarding bridges (jet bridges). The new building will have 30 check-in counters with three luggage lanes.

Text: Hina

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