History of civil aviation in Podgorica begins on 29 May 1928, with landing of Aeroput Potez 29/2 biplane on a grass runway located in ?emovsko polje. This flight was a second leg of an experimental circular route, originating and terminating in Belgrade, flown via Skopje, Podgorica, Mostar Airport and Sarajevo, with the aim of exploring viability of regular air travel in southern Kingdom of Yugoslavia. On 5 May 1930, an Aeroput Farman F.300 landed at an airfield near Stara Varoš, carrying passengers on a Belgrade - Sarajevo - Podgorica route, marking the beginning of passenger air traffic in Podgorica. During World War II, Podgorica airfield was used by the occupying Axis powers, making it a target for devastating Allied bombings in 1943 and 1944. Scheduled passenger service at the airport began on 8 April 1946, with three weekly flights on Podgorica - Belgrade route. Service was operated by JAT, using Douglas C-47 airplanes, converted for passenger use. In April 1957, JAT began operating scheduled cargo flights to Belgrade, via Sarajevo. Location of the airport was a limiting factor for further expansion, resulting in a decision to build a new airport further south and away from Podgorica urban area. Podgorica Airport exists on its current location since 1961, sharing a 2,500 m × 45 m (8,202 ft × 148 ft) asphalt runway with Podgorica Airbase, with old airport being relegated to general aviation use. Airport facilities underwent significant expansion in 1977. In 1996, Podgorica Airport became a base for a Montenegro Airlines, with airline fleet initially being a single Fokker F28. Due to proximity of Podgorica Airbase facilities, passenger terminal of the airport sustained minor damage during NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. Since its construction in 1961 until 2003, Podgorica Airport was owned and managed by Belgrade-based JAT Airways. The airline operated Podgorica Airport as a feeder to its Belgrade hub, with Podgorica - Belgrade flights accounting for the overwhelming majority of passenger traffic. This practice largely ended with the transfer of airport ownership to government owned public company Airports of Montenegro, which took place on 23 April 2003. Airport facilities underwent major upgrade in 2006, including construction of a new passenger terminal building, apron extension, taxiway system overhaul, and updated airfield lighting system.