Portorož Airport Letališče Portorož
Portorož Airport
IATA: POW – ICAO: LJPZ
Summary
Airport type		Public
Location		Portorož
Elevation AMSL		2 m / 7 ft
Coordinates		45°28′24″N 013°36′54″E / 45.47333°N 13.615°E / 45.47333; 13.615 (Portorož Airport)Coordinates: 45°28′24″N 013°36′54″E / 45.47333°N 13.615°E / 45.47333; 13.615 (Portorož Airport)
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	m	ft
15/33	1,205	3,953	Asphalt
Source: Slovenian AIP at EUROCONTROL

Portorož Airport from behind

Portorož Airport (Slovene: Letališče Portorož) (IATA: POW, ICAO: LJPZ), which is the smallest of three international airports in Slovenia, is located near the village of Sečovlje, 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Portorož, and less than 300 m (980 ft) from the Croatian border. The airport was opened on 27 September 1962. In addition to Portorož, the airport serves a number of other tourist destinations in the region, including Piran, Izola, Koper in Slovenia, Trieste in Italy and Umag in Croatia.

The airport is intended for passenger and cargo transport, sport, tourist and business flights. It lies at two metres above sea level, the runway measures 1,200 × 30 m (3,937 × 98 ft).

Technical Information

Although the airport fire station is currently delcared CAT 2, it can be upgraded to CAT 4, provided a minimum of 12 hours advance notice is given - prior to commencement of the respective flight operations. Runway 33, which, as in the case of Runway 15, has a runway length of 1,200 m (3,937 ft.) for take-off purposes. However, unlike runway 15, runway 33 has a displaced threshold, meaning that aircraft landing on this runway, i.e. at a heading of 330°, are required to touchdown (landing) at a position approx. 230 m (755 ft.) from the beginning of the runway, thereby reducing the runway landing distance to approx. 970 m (3,182 ft.).

Airlines and destinations

{{Airport-dest-list

|[[[Jat Airways]] | Belgrade

|[[Spreeflug | Leipzig-Altenburg, Eisenhüttenstadt-Frankfurt (Oder)

}}

Airport Services

Although relatively small, a wide-variety of services are offered at Portorož Airport: modern airport facilities including technical and fuel service, services under contract (such as air taxi), panoramic flights, business charter flights, a flight school, parachute jumping, minibus transfer, a hotel room booking service, a restaurant, a duty free shop as well as car rental services.

Airport History

As in the case of the development of many airports, Portorož Airport had a humble beginning. In 1962, ground preparations are initially made for the creation of a sports airport with a 400 m (1,312 ft.) grass runway. However, in response to the LZJ decision to allow the third Adriatic Parachute Cup competitions to take place in Portorož the following year, the plans for the grass runway are ultimately changed and the runway is extended to 800 m (2,625 ft.). On 27 September, 1962, a flight inspection team examine Portorož Airport and recommend the issuance of a six-month temporary registration, which would classify it as a secondary sports airport, permitting the landing of aircraft weighing up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs.). The following year, on 3 April, 1963, Aero club Piran is formed. Later in 1963, the third Adriatic Parachute Cup competitions are held.

On 28 January, 1971, the city of Piran decides to build an international sports airport at Portorož Airport. In July of the same year, the airport location is approved and the subsequent construction permits are issued for the construction and reconfiguration of the runway: 700 m long and 20 m wide (2,297 ft. long and 66 ft. wide). On 24 January, 1972, the airfield construction and reconfiguration works are completed. The following year, 12 February, 1973, the ZUCZP grants permission to register and license Portorož Airport for aviation sports purposes.

Further development of the airport continues, and in January 1975, the Coast Flight Centre is established. Later in 1975, construction work begins on a runway refurbishment and extension project. The first building phase of the airport terminal and platform is also initiated. The following year, on 21 August, 1976, the airport re-enters full operations after construction works at the airport are completed. These include an enhancement to the runway, which is extended to 850 m (2,789 ft.) and widened to 28 m (92 ft.) - as well as the construction of an apron. Work is also completed on the first phase of the airport terminal and platform. On 1 October, 1978, Portorož Airport is formally re-opened and entered into the register of airports and the register for panoramic flights. In 1979, a 400 m² aircraft hangar is constructed and the first C-172 aircraft is purchased.

Portorož Airport gained the status of a commercial passenger airport, when on 2 June, 1980, the Federal Authority for Transport and Communications issues a permit that allows the airport to be operated as a category "D" airport for civilian use in both domestic and international flights. Upgrades to the airport continue, and in the same year, a fueling station, which supplies Avgas 100LL, is built. On 1 May, 1981, an Aero Commander 500 (Turbo Commander) aircraft carrying 9 passengers lands from Passau. Also in 1981, the airport facilities are further expanded and include the construction of a control tower, border crossing, meteo and FIO. In 1983, the first Dash 7 lands at the airport. On 24 April, 1984, the runway is lengthened to 1,200 m (3,937 ft.), and widened to 30 m (98 ft.). The following year, on 20 July, 1984, the airport is registered to handle Dash-7 aircraft. On 20 March, 1986, construction work is completed on a technical aircraft hangar and airport fire station. In 1989, in order to facilitate night operations, runway lighting and an approach lighting system in the vicinity of the airport are installed. As a consequence, on 21 March, 1989, the Federal Secretary for Transport and Communication issues a permit, which allows night operations. Also, the ICAO classification 2C is established and the fire station receives a category 4 designation. Furthermore, a permit is issued for take-offs and landings of aircraft with a maximum weight of 27 tonnes (54,900 lbs.).

Investment in Portorož Airport continued, and on 15 April, 1991, the Casino Touristic Company Turistično podjetje p.o. Portorož adopt a memorandum of understanding and form a limited liability company: Aerodrom Portorož d.o.o. From 13 to 16 May, 2004, aviation enthusiasts are welcomed at Portorož Airport, where the Aviatica general aviation air show takes place. Later that year, on 1 July, 2004, Aerodrom Portorož d.o.o. signs an agreement with its new partners: The Municipality of Piran; Aerodrom Ljubljana, d.d.; Istrabenz, holdinška družba, d.d.; and Luka Koper, d.d. (Port of Koper). The recapitalisation plan is intended to facilitate further development of the airport in the near future.

Future Airport Expansion

The entire airport is scheduled to undergo renovation in the near future. Moreover, there are plans for Portorož Airport's single runway to be lengthened to 1,800 m (5,906 ft.) and widened to 45 m (148 ft.), in order to facilitate the handling of larger aircraft such as the Boeing 757-200.

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2010.
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