Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services (SMATSA) has signed a contract on Wednesday with the European Investment Bank on a loan of 45 million euro to be used in the modernization of the air traffic control system in both states.
The contract was signed by SMATSA Director Predrag Jovanović, in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, European Council President Donald Tusk and EIB President Werner Hoyer.
The SMATSA reported that the loan was acquired under exceptionally favourable conditions, grace to the excellent rating of Serbia and Montenegro. They cited the money will be used in the next four years to modernize the air traffic control system in those two countries.
“This, among other things, means the procurement and implementation of radar systems at the Nikola Tesla Airport complex in Belgrade, at Bijesna Kobila and Vrsuta locations in Montenegro and the implementation of the system for verbal communication ground-air and ground-ground using IP protocol,” the statement read.
As they added, included is also the construction of an annex to the air traffic control center and tower of the airport traffic control Belgrade, as well as an air traffic control center and tower for Niš airport.
The modernized system, according to them, will advance safety, capacity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the system for air traffic control, improve connectivity of the region with a reduction of gasses and noise.
They cited the advantages will be felt by airlines, airports and passengers, as the final users of this type of transport. “Implementation of the planned projects will confirm the reputation of air traffic control of Serbia and Montenegro as one of the best service providers in this part of Europe,” the statement concluded.
Translated from Vijesti Online, for the original click here.
