Gov't: Transport Ministry Won't Seek Concessionaire for Bratislava Airport

Bratislava, 12 June (TASR) - The Transport Ministry won't seek a concessionaire to run M.R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava, as the government on Thursday scrapped the task assigned to the ministry in late 2018. Given the current geopolitical situation, it is not in Slovakia's interests for the airport to be leased under a concession. It should continue to be operated by an airport company that is 100-percent held by the state instead, explained the ministry. "A loss of control over M.R. Stefanik Airport might negatively affect the tasks of the state, as well as efforts to fulfil Slovakia's commitments stemming from respective international treaties," stated the ministry. Bratislava airport is operated by a company called Letisko M. R. Stefanika - Airport Bratislava. It processes the largest number of passengers in Slovakia and is the only airport in the country to be included in the core airport network within the trans-European transport network. A concession variant for running Bratislava airport was approved by the government in late 2018. The subject of the concession agreement should have been operating, maintaining and developing the airport. The contract was set to be concluded for 30 years. ko/df