The Aeronautical Museum in Belgrade, formerly known as the Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum, is undergoing its most extensive overhaul since opening in 1989. Located opposite Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, the museum has been closed to the public for more than six years. Around 200 workers are operating around the clock to complete the renovation by May next year. In addition to the refurbishment of the existing building, three new hangars are being constructed to house additional exhibition space, a restoration workshop, visitor facilities, souvenir shops, a hospitality venue and other amenities. The museum’s distinctive glass façade will be fully restored, while its interior and exterior will also be renovated. Lifts and accessible entrances for people with disabilities will be installed as well.
Commenting on the project, Mirjana Novaković Munišević, Senior Curator and Head of Museum Activities, said the comprehensive renovation and modernisation would restore the institution’s former international standing. “The entire building will be renovated, including all the infrastructure required to protect and display the items in our collection, which comprises twenty individual collections. Foremost among these is our extensive aircraft collection, which illustrates more than a century of development in military and, subsequently, civil aviation. The permanent exhibition will remain the museum’s centrepiece, presenting a century of Serbian aviation in an interactive format supported by a wide range of multimedia content”, Ms Novaković Munišević said.
UK-based Cultural Innovations (CI) has been tasked with developing the museum’s future exhibition content. Over the past twenty years, the company has worked with cultural institutions, governments, development authorities and other partners to create immersive cultural experiences at venues across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.
The museum’s collection comprises more than 200 aircraft previously operated by the Royal Yugoslav Air Force, the Yugoslav Air Force, the Serbian Air Force and other operators, as well as aircraft formerly flown by several commercial carriers, including JAT Yugoslav Airlines. Covering more than 10.500 square metres, the museum also houses 130 aircraft engines, along with radars, rockets and other aeronautical equipment. Its archives contain more than 20.000 reference books and technical documents, as well as over 200.000 photographs.
