Sjenica Airport

Military Destruction

The site is currently abandoned and in a state of complete ruin. The airport was heavily targeted during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and its infrastructure was systematically destroyed. The runway and taxiways are heavily damaged with visible craters from bomb impacts. The entire area is considered extremely dangerous as it is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO), particularly from cluster munitions used in the attacks. The land remains under the control of the Serbian Ministry of Defence but is derelict and completely inaccessible for any practical use due to the destruction and UXO risk.

Sjenica Airport, also known as Dubinje Airbase, was a significant reserve military airbase for the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and later the Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro. Its primary role was as a dispersal base in case of war, designed to support air force operations away from primary, more vulnerable airbases. It was home to units of the Yugoslav Air Force, including squadrons of MiG-21 fighter jets as part of the 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment. The base featured a main 2500-meter concrete runway and several auxiliary grass runways, designed for high-intensity military operations. Its strategic location in the Pešter plateau was crucial for the defense posture of the former Yugoslavia.

There are significant and high-profile plans to rebuild and reopen the airport for civilian use. The project is a key part of a bilateral agreement between Serbia and Turkey, frequently discussed by President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The intention is to construct a new, modern airport on the site that would handle both cargo and passenger traffic. This is seen as a strategic project to boost the economy of the Sandžak region, improve connectivity, and facilitate trade and tourism, particularly with Turkey. The first step involves an extensive and dangerous demining operation to clear the site of unexploded ordnance. Following demining, the plan includes the construction of a new runway, terminal, and supporting infrastructure. While the project has been officially announced and is a stated priority, the timeline for completion is subject to the complex demining process, funding, and geopolitical factors. As of recent years, the commitment to rebuilding remains strong from both governments.