Business, / By STA

Brnik - A new road rerouting traffic north of Ljubljana airport was opened on Friday to create space for the airport's expansion and development.

The 2.3-kilometre section moving the main road between Kranj and Spodnji Brnik away from the runway should also improve traffic safety and give better access to the airport.

Inaugurating the road, Infrastructure Minister Peter Gašperšič said the investment was of exceptional importance for the airport, the region and the whole country.

The EUR 5.5m project was a joint effort by the was national Roads Directorate (EUR 4.1m), airport operator Fraport Slovenija (EUR 1.2m) and the Cerklje na Gorenjskem municiaplity (EUR 163,000).

Fraport Slovenija managing director Zmago Skobir said the company would be now able to develop commercial activities inside the space in a project dubbed Aeropolis.

One of the first new buildings in this area will be a EUR 50m pharmaceutical logistic centre of the logistic company Kuehne + Nagel, which is to become operational on 1 July.

Fraport Slovenija expects interest to be expressed for various other facilities in the immediate vicinity of the airport so that Aeropolis could be completed by 2035.

The airport operator is also planning a new passenger terminal and investment in the development of cargo facilities.

Featuring three roundabouts and a new servicing road, the new road allows easier access to the passenger and cargo terminal and other airport facilities. There is also a cycling path running along.

The new project and the airport's development plans were also hailed by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek: "Through its development the airport will enable further growth."