Sinj International Airport (IATA: SNJ) is the primary civilian airport serving the capital city of Sinj and the sole international gateway into the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. Located 15 kilometers south of the city center on the flat plains near the Kambel River, it is a fortress of concrete and glass that serves as the republic’s airlock to the outside world.
Strictly controlled by the state, the airport is as much a border control facility as it is a transportation hub. It is the only place in the country where foreign nationals are permitted to enter, and every arrival is subjected to intense scrutiny by the Council for Internal Affairs (CIA).
Architecture and Layout
The main terminal, constructed in 1955 and expanded in the 1980s, is a prime example of “Vosti Brutalism” mixed with Kresimirian functionalism. The exterior is dominated by gray concrete and narrow, slit-like windows. The interior is dimly lit and purposely austere, designed to intimidate arriving foreigners and remind returning citizens of the gravity of re-entering the “Divine Soil.”
The Terminals
- Terminal 1 (Domestic): Serves internal flights to Polograd, Novi Otonik, and seasonal charters to Viskogorje. It is bustling, loud, and relatively relaxed compared to the international wing.
- Terminal 2 (International): The “Iron Gate.” This terminal handles all flights arriving from or departing to foreign nations. It is physically separated from Terminal 1 by a high fence and checkpoints. Access is restricted to ticket holders with valid exit visas.
“The Waiting Room”
The most infamous feature of Sinj International is the Immigration Processing Center, grimly nicknamed “The Waiting Room” by foreign diplomats and journalists.
- Screening: Upon landing, foreign visitors are not immediately allowed to collect their baggage. Instead, they are ushered into a windowless holding area where they may be held for hours.
- Interrogation: CIA officers conduct one-on-one interviews with every entering foreigner. Questions often probe political affiliations, religious beliefs, and opinions on the Kresimirian government. Electronic devices are frequently seized and “inspected” (cloned) before being returned.
- Deportation: It is not uncommon for visitors to be denied entry for arbitrary reasons, such as carrying “subversive literature” or having a “suspicious digital footprint.” These individuals are placed on the next outbound flight without appeal.
Security and Surveillance
The airport is one of the most heavily guarded sites in the republic.
- Perimeter: The airfield is surrounded by a double layer of razor-wire fencing and monitored by guard towers. The Civil Order Force patrols the perimeter with dogs.
- Surveillance: Inside the terminal, cameras cover every square inch of public space. Microphones are rumoured to be embedded in the walls of the smoking lounges and waiting areas.
- Customs: Outbound customs checks are rigorous. The export of Kresimirian currency (the Krejt) is strictly limited, and taking “items of national cultural heritage” (a vague definition that can include anything from old books to unprocessed amber) is a felony.