The Government of Serbia has announced that 27 companies are interested in the concession deal for Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport.

The airport is situated 18 km (11 mi) west of downtown Belgrade near the town of Surčin. Previously known as Belgrade Airport or Surčin Airport, it was renamed in 2006 in honor of scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla. The airport is the busiest in Serbia with 4.92 million passengers using it in 2016.

The successful bid is expected to raise about €400 million (US$421.3 million), plus an annual fee of €11 million (US$11.6 million).

According to sources, in recent years the number of tourists in Belgrade went over 1.1 million, while 2.6 million foreign tourists visit Serbia every year.

Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport and French builder Vinci are interested in the concession among other companies. Two companies from the United Arab Emirates and five from China are also reported to be interested in the concession. It is also included Spain's Ferrovial, Germany's Hochtief, France's Aeroports de Paris and Dutch-based Schiphol.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said:

“Everyone sees Belgrade as an important city, the hub of all roads, not just in South East Europe, but also in Europe, so the fight for the concession will be tough.”

Vucic expects a direct air link with Beijing to be established “with a Chinese company” which will bring “a significant inflow of tourists and increase revenue on this basis.”