The Ministry of Transport and Construction of the government of Slovakia has submitted a plan to concession M.R. Štefánik Airport in Bratislava for a fast-tracked interdepartmental review.

The concession is proposed to last 30 years and cover the operation, maintenance and development of the airport. The runways and the connected infrastructure would remain owned by the public airport authority.

The Ministry intends to select a concessionaire through a public tender process by June 2020, with the successful bidder to take over airport operations as soon as 2021.

Although it is the largest international airport in the country, Bratislava airport mainly supports low-cost carrier (LCCs), with 92% of seat capacity accounted for by budget airlines. The number of passengers handled increased by 11% to 1.94 million in 2017, and is projected to exceed 2 million this year.