Kraljevo-Lađevci Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Kraljevo-Lađevci Airport
nativename =
nativename-a = Aеродром Лађевци
nativename-r = Aerodrom Lađevci


image-width =
caption =
IATA =
ICAO = LYKV
type = Military/Public
owner =
operator = Military of Serbia
city-served =
location = Kraljevo
elevation-f = 686
elevation-m = 209
coordinates = Coord|43|49|04.55|N|20|35|09.61|E|type:airport|display=inline,title
website =
metric-elev =
metric-rwy =
r1-number = 14/32
r1-length-f = 7,218
r1-length-m = 2,200
r1-surface = Paved
stat-year =
stat1-header =
stat1-data =
stat2-header =
stat2-data =
footnotes =

Kraljevo-Lađevci Airport (Serbian: Аеродром Лaђeвци, Latin: "Aerodrom Lađevci") Airport codes|N/A|LYKV also known as Obrva Airport is an airport in the Kraljevo Municipality, Serbia.

In 2006 it was announced that the military airport will begin servicing civilian air traffic (first civilian flight from Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport operated by Air Pink departure to Kraljevo-Lađevci Airport on August 12 2007 at 10:00 am).

The airport is undergoing a major reconstruction in order for it to become a public airport. It will cost the Serbian government some 30 million euros to bring the airport to modern standards.

The airport is located some 15 km form the Kraljevo city center, 25 km from Čačak and 35 km from Kragujevac.

Kraljevo is ideally located. The city is very industrial with many factories (including a light-plane making factory) located in the city. All industrial companies in Kraljevo have expressed their desire for the reconstruction of the airport as cargo flights could save their companies a lot of money and time. In addition to that, the airport is also located near the famed mountain ski resort Kopaonik.

The airport is home to the 98th Airbase of the Serbian Air Force.

History

When constructed, Lađevci airbase was used as support airfield for 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment of SFR Yugoslav Air Force which was based at Skopski Petrovac airbase in Macedonia. After the Breakup of Yugoslavia, Lađevci airfield has became more active when the 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment was transfered from Petrovac to Kraljevo. From then at airfield there were few units of FR Yugoslav Air Force, 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment with its 241st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron "Tigers" equipped with J-22 Orao attack aircraft, 353rd Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron equipped with IJ-22 reconnaissance aircraft and the 714th Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadron equipped with SA.342L Gazelle Gama anti-tank attack helicopters. During NATO bombings of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999, the airport was badly damaged. Unlike Batajnica and Slatina, where several MiG-21s were destroyed, Lađevci only sustained two J-22 losses (Numbers - 25152 and 25207) in the entire campaign, thanks in large to successful defensive measures and concealment of the aircraft.
* [http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/Photos/YuWars/images/1999-ladjevci990512.jpgLađevci NATO attack]
* [http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/Photos/98abr/images/1999-Ladjevci.jpgLadjevci, destroyed hangar]
* [http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/Photos/98abr/images/1991-Ladjevci2.jpgPilots of 354.iae (354.reconnaissance squadron), June 1991]

The reconstruction

Kraljevo-Lađevci Airport was expected to finish construction of its terminal in 2009 so it can service public and more importantly, cargo flights.

New control tower

In the first phase, beginning in June 2006. The construction of the new control tower (The former being destroyed 1999 by NATO) was to commence at the airport in Lađevci. That investment is expected to cost about 3.5 million Euro's. Once finished, Lađevci will be able to receive smaller civilian airplanes. That will be followed by the second phase - extending of the existing runway after which the airport will be able to receive even the biggest aircraft.

ee also

*List of airports in Serbia

External links

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/YI/2/Obrva.html Obrva on Falling Rain Genomics]
* [http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1080969469044904253lfJJUn Lađevci Airport map]
* [http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/Photos/YuWars/images/1999-ladjevci990512.jpgLađevci photos]
* [http://www.blic.co.yu/arhiva/2006-04-03/strane/srbija.htm Lađevci civilni aerodrom]
* [http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com AvijacijaBezGranica.com - site with plenty of historical photos from AFB Ladjevci and ex-Yu Air Force]