Hmmm not good. More than a 3x increase, though perhaps less than 3x for a TB20, 1400kg, which used to be €50.
I updated my LDDU report on the EuroGA airports database.
Not good? Pretty bad I would say. It would put another (essential) airport on the other side of reasonable, for small GA.
But to a point, I understand them. Pre-Corona, during the season, they used to be super-busy with airline traffic. Small GA takes up capacity, and they probably wanted to reducce this. In addition, piston pilots often make havoc, continuously pester the ground handling staff to get the Avgas truck to come, when they are completely busy with jetfuelling. Also, since having no dedicated GAT, “handling” of one crew doing a turnaround there takes their staff a good 30 minutes (bus, elevator up, customs, elevator down, bus, airport office, bus… those who have been there know what I am talking about).
The fee increase was probably decided before Corona came around, and has since not been reversed (yet)… AOPA Croatia is based at… Dubrovnik.
But first I would be interested in other pireps to confirm these fees.
I heard €100+ from someone a few days ago. But he didn’t say that was just the handling.
The airport has a vast piece of tarmac and airliners never come close to filling it up AFAIK. GA is parked way out of the way.
I put the pirep on eddh, been to LDDU last week.
165 euro total, indeed, pilot only, TB20.
All straightforward, 100euro Handlung incl 25% tax.
Been great anyway.
Old town with few folks, plenty of space in restaurants. Most places open.
Few large private planes (incl. Sheldon’s pleasure liner), else nothing…
boscomantico wrote:
Not good? Pretty bad I would say. It would put another (essential) airport on the other side of reasonable, for small GA.But to a point, I understand them. Pre-Corona, during the season, they used to be super-busy with airline traffic. Small GA takes up capacity, and they probably wanted to reducce this. In addition, piston pilots often make havoc, continuously pester the ground handling staff to get the Avgas truck to come, when they are completely busy with jetfuelling.
Interesting to see such extremes in Croatia. Losinj and Brac have organized themselves to make money with GA and are patronized accordingly. Dubrovnik hasn’t figured it out yet. No need to have GA bother ground handling for Avgas. Just install a self-serve Avgas pump. The building with GA services (and GA parking) in Dubrovnik is a long way from the main terminal, and there is no real need for the airline servicing crews to get involved.
One needs to go to the terminal for
a) customs/passport check
b) leaving and entering the airport.
Ironically, Dubrovnik is a case where doubling the fees might actally increase their yields from small GA, since I don’t think small GA traffic volumes will fall by more then 50% (at least not in the short term). It is just too popular as an end-point for Adriatic trips by private pilots (although personally I don’t know why… Dubrovnik city way too touristy, but girls tend to like it). And also, because it is vital as a last “no worries” Avgas fueling stop for those continuing on to Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, etc.
boscomantico wrote:
b) leaving and entering the airport.
Does that now require doing so airside? When I was there in 2014, we were able to walk from the terminal to the GA building and entered airside there. There was no need for transport between the GA building and the main terminal.
@chflyer
Currently, that’s the path you take.
IN: Plane → main terminal
OUT: Main terminal → GA shed → plane
@boscomantico
North Macedonia has not been a problem for aAvgas at all. Actually, both Skopje and Ohrid are excellent points to top up (just to be safe: have been in 2019).
And I have to admit, I found Dobrovnik interesting and pleasant in the current “not so busy” state for a short trip. Incl. its hstory.
Thanks. I have heard conflicting info on whether Ohrid has started selling Avgas. But the AIP still shoes only Jet-A…
and an attractive price even in 2019 ;-)
