✈ Successful first year of Girona–Sarajevo route!

Ryanair launched its Girona (GRO)–Sarajevo (SJJ) service on 2nd of April 2025, operating two weekly flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The route marked the first-ever scheduled air connection between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During its first year of operation, the service delivered strong results, carrying a total of 28.171 passengers and achieving an average load factor of 84%, underlining solid demand and commercial viability.

Despite Girona being a relatively small city located in close proximity to Barcelona, the route’s strong performance clearly highlights the extent to which the Spain–Bosnia and Herzegovina air travel market remains underserved. The results indicate substantial untapped potential, suggesting that major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia could comfortably support at least two weekly direct flights to Sarajevo.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Sarajevo International Airport achieves record breaking year in 2025!

Sarajevo Airport, photo by Damir Džubur sa_spotter

Sarajevo International Airport has reached a significant achievement, marking a milestone in its growth and development. Over the past year, the airport welcomed a record breaking 2.226.692 passengers, an impressive figure that showcases a 22% year over year increase. This surge in traffic represents an additional 404.930 travelers compared to the previous year, underscoring the airport's continued upward trajectory and growing. This achievement not only highlights the airport's expanding capacity but also reflects the increasing demand for air travel in and out of Sarajevo.

According to the most recent ACI EUROPE Airport Traffic Report, Sarajevo International Airport has been recognized as one of the fastest growing airports in Europe within its category in 2025. This recognition serves as a testament to the airport's ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure, improve services, and adapt to the ever changing demands of the aviation industry. 

My own analysis of air travel trends throughout the year further confirms this growth. At the start of 2025, based on previous patterns and the rising demand for air travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I projected that Sarajevo Airport would reach the 2,2 million passenger mark by year-end. With the actual figures now in, this prediction has come to fruition. The airport's success is not just a result of organic growth but also strategic efforts to attract more airlines and increase the variety of destinations available to passengers.

The table below is detailing my monthly passenger traffic projections for the past year, which reflect the airport's steady growth and performance throughout 2025. These projections were based on a combination of factors, including seasonal trends, new route launches, and the ongoing efforts by the airport and  Sarajevo Tourist Board (VISITSARAJEVO.BA) by providing incentives for the airlines to open new routes and by promotions of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina as desired tourist destination. 

Looking ahead to 2026, Sarajevo International Airport is set to continue this remarkable growth trend, with plans for another record breaking year. Several new routes have already been announced, promising to further boost passenger traffic and enhance connectivity. Airlines like Ajet are introducing new flights to Ankara and Bodrum, while Eurowings will be launching a route to Berlin. Additionally, Nile Air is set to offer direct charter flights to Hurghada, and Transavia will be connecting Sarajevo with Paris.

With these developments, Sarajevo International Airport is well-positioned for continued success in the coming years. The growth in passenger numbers is a clear indicator of the airport's rising significance, and the continued introduction of new routes ensures that 2026 is set to be another record  year for the airport.

Source: Zahid Krkić 

✈Chair Airlines to start Zurich-Tuzla flights

The route will be served by a mix of Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The Airbus A319, configured with 150 seats, will operate Thursday services, while the larger Airbus A320, offering 180 seats, will be deployed on Sundays. Over the course of the season, Chair Airlines will operate a total of 64 round-trip flights, with 10,560 seats available for sale.

This new service makes Tuzla the second city in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be connected with Zurich and marks the first direct air link between Zurich and Tuzla Airport. Zurich is already connected to Sarajevo, with Swiss International Air Lines operating up to nine weekly flights during the summer season.

Chair Airlines will include one piece of carry-on baggage (up to 8 kg) and one piece of checked baggage (up to 23 kg) with every ticket at no additional cost, a benefit that has become increasingly uncommon among European airlines.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina-Sweden air traffic report

Stockholm Arlanda Airport - Photo by Wikipedia user Brorsson

Sweden is a key market for air travel to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2022, the highest passenger volume between the two countries was recorded, with a total of 182,212 travelers, representing 8.26% of all passengers to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the consolidation of airlines and the increasing costs of airport operations have led to the discontinuation of several routes, including direct flights from Swedish airports to airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sweden route map

Following Sweden's reduction of its air passenger tax, several routes have resumed service, including the Tuzla-Malmo route, resumed December 13. 2025, and the Tuzla-Gothenburg route, slated to resume in March 2026, both operated by Wizz Air. Additionally, during last year’s expansion from Sarajevo, Ryanair introduced new flights to Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Preliminary airlines schedules for 2026 indicate the highest-ever number of available seats, suggesting a significant increase in passenger traffic between the two countries. Projected number of passengers between two countries will reach 200.000.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Ryanair to reduce Banja Luka operations

Ryanair aircraft at Banja Luka Airport - Photo by David Segic

Ryanair has released its flight schedule for the summer of 2026 (April to October), revealing a significant reduction in operations at Banja Luka Airport. The airline plans to cut its route offerings from the city by 40%. The most substantial reduction will be on the Memmingen route, where weekly flights will drop from 10 to 5. Other notable cuts include the Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden route, which will decrease from 4 weekly flights to 2, Vienna from 5 to 2, and Stockholm from 3 to 2.

In the summer timetable of 2025, Ryanair operated a total of 56 weekly round-trip flights from Banja Luka, while for the summer of 2026, this figure will drop to just 34 weekly round trips. Although the exact reasons for this reduction are unclear, it is widely speculated that Ryanair is shifting its focus toward more profitable markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly at Sarajevo Airport. With Wizz Air establishing a base at Tuzla Airport and Ryanair focusing its efforts on Sarajevo, the future prospects for Banja Luka Airport appear uncertain.

Financially, Banja Luka Airport is facing serious challenges. It has taken out a loan of 6 million Bosnian Marks (approximately 3 million Euros) to cover outstanding debts: 5,4 million Bosnian Marks owed to the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska and 600.000 Bosnian Marks in overdue obligations to suppliers.

To recap, the airport previously secured a loan of 7 million Bosnian Marks from the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska in mid-2016, which had a 48-month grace period. With that period now expired, the airport has requested an extension for repayment. The funds were initially used to address operational expenses and resolve ongoing issues, enabling the airport to retain its operating license.

In the past two years, management has repeatedly warned that the airport would struggle to meet its financial obligations on time. Despite this, the airport's director, Valentina Kecman, recently claimed that Banja Luka Airport is on track to achieve a record number of passengers in 2024, surpassing the 460.000 passengers recorded in 2023, effectively downplaying the serious financial challenges facing the airport.

For the first half of 2025, Banja Luka Airport reported a loss of 600.000 Bosnian Marks. In the past, the airport has come dangerously close to losing its international operating license due to mismanagement and mounting financial difficulties.

The Government of Republika Srpska, which owns Banja Luka Airport, has shown little interest in addressing its current and future viability. The airport urgently requires professional management to develop and implement a sustainable master plan, with collaboration from all levels of government. Without significant investment from its owner, Banja Luka Airport is at risk of bankruptcy. Public-private partnerships should be considered as a potential solution to safeguard the airport’s future.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Wizz Air Launches Tuzla - Maastricht Aachen flights

Wizz Air has introduced a direct flight service between Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) and Tuzla International Airport (TZL), commencing on December 12. This new route provides a long-awaited non-stop connection between the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The airline will operate flights twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, offering convenient travel options for leisure travelers and visiting friends and relatives (VFR). To accommodate strong holiday demand, Wizz Air will also operate additional Wednesday flights through January 7, increasing capacity during the peak festive season. The inaugural flight was celebrated at Maastricht Aachen Airport with the presence of official representatives, marking the start of a strategic partnership between the airport and Wizz Air. This collaboration highlights the commitment to enhancing tourism and connectivity in the region.

Maastricht and Tuzla tourism to benefit from direct Netherlands-Bosnia route

The launch of the Maastricht-Tuzla route represents a significant milestone for both Maastricht and Tuzla, providing direct air link between the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This new service enhances Maastricht Aachen Airport's position as a regional tourism hub, offering improved access for VFR travelers, city-break visitors, and the diaspora communities between the Netherlands and the Western Balkans.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Supporting regional hub development and tourism goals

The new route is in line with Maastricht Aachen Airport’s vision to become a future-ready regional hub. The airport aims to handle approximately 600.000 passengers and 200.000 tons of cargo annually by 2030. By establishing a direct air link to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the airport strengthens its role as a cross-border gateway for Limburg, neighboring German regions, and Belgium. This development offers a convenient alternative to larger, more congested airports, making Maastricht Aachen Airport an attractive point of departure for travelers heading to the Balkans. The airport’s sustainability strategy emphasizes the importance of balancing growth with environmental goals, catering to travelers who seek responsible tourism options. The Tuzla route contributes to this by utilizing narrow-bodied aircraft, consolidating demand on more efficient flights, and offering a closer and more sustainable travel option compared to larger airports further north in the Netherlands.

Catering to migrant, diaspora, and VFR tourism

The route responds to growing demand from first- and second-generation migrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, traveling between the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina to visit family and maintain cultural connections. This VFR tourism segment is increasingly vital for regional airports, providing consistent year-round traffic and supporting local economies through spending on accommodation, retail, and services.

By offering a non-stop, low-cost service, the Maastricht-Tuzla route reduces travel time and simplifies the journey for travelers who previously relied on indirect flights with longer layovers and surface transfers. The new connection encourages more frequent trips, stimulates two-way tourism flows, and promotes exploration of lesser-known areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expanding the country’s tourism beyond its most popular cities.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Opening the Balkans to Dutch and Benelux tourists

The new route also opens up opportunities for Dutch and Belgian tourists to explore the Balkans, with Tuzla serving as a gateway to regional bus and road networks that connect to other destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries. Travelers from Maastricht, Limburg, and the wider Benelux region can now access cultural, natural, and heritage attractions across the Balkans with a single, non-stop flight and convenient onward ground transportation. This development makes multi-stop itineraries more attractive, further enhancing the appeal of the region.

For Tuzla and its surrounding areas, the direct link to Maastricht will attract tourists from the Netherlands and Belgium, seeking authentic, affordable alternatives to traditional city-break destinations in Western Europe. The increase in tourist arrivals will support local businesses, from guesthouses and restaurants to tour operators, contributing to the diversification of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tourism economy.

Summer 2026 Expansion to Six Eastern and Central European Destinations

Looking ahead to the summer 2026 season, Wizz Air plans to significantly expand its operations from Maastricht Aachen Airport, adding six new destinations across Eastern and Central Europe, including Katowice, Lublin, Bucharest, Chișinău, and Podgorica, alongside Tuzla. These routes will be spread throughout the year, with varying weekly frequencies, increasing the airline’s schedule at MST to approximately 16 weekly departures during peak tourism months.

This network expansion will establish Maastricht as a low-cost hub for Central and Eastern European tourism, offering residents of Limburg and nearby regions easy access to city breaks, cultural trips, and VFR travel to multiple destinations. It will also enhance connectivity for visitors from Poland, Romania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, encouraging more travelers to explore Maastricht, the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, and Dutch tourism offerings, thus diversifying inbound tourism to the Netherlands beyond its main hubs like Amsterdam.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Wizz Air ponovo otvorio bazu u Tuzli

Wizz Air danas svečano obilježava zvanično otvaranje svoje baze u Tuzli, čime potvrđuje obnovljenu dugoročnu posvećenost Bosni i Hercegovini. Stacioniranje modernog aviona Airbus A321neo omogućava uvođenje novih ruta, povećanje kapaciteta i širenje mogućnosti za zaposlenje u regiji. Karte su dostupne na zvaničnoj web stranici Wizz Air-a i putem mobilne aplikacije, po cijeni već od 30,99 KM .

Do marta 2026. godine, bazi u Tuzli pridružit će se i drugi avion, čime će se udvostručiti broj raspoloživih sjedišta te dodatno podstaći rast broja radnih mjesta i međunarodne povezanosti. Ovim proširenjem, Wizz Air dodatno učvršćuje svoju poziciju vodeće aviokompanije u Bosni i Hercegovini, nudeći pristupačnije opcije putovanja i bolju mobilnost putnicima širom Evrope.

Kako bi podržao povećanje operacija, Wizz Air će organizovati posebna dva dana zapošljavanja za buduće članove kabinskog osoblja:

8. januar 2026. u 9:00 sati.

16. januar 2026. u 9:00 sati.

Roland Tischner, generalni direktor Wizz Air Hungary, izjavio je: „Današnje otvaranje naše baze u Tuzli označava uzbudljiv novi početak za Wizz Air i putnike širom Bosne i Hercegovine. Povratak našeg modernog A321neo aviona u Tuzlu omogućava nam širenje mreže destinacija, više povoljnih mogućnosti putovanja te otvaranje novih lokalnih radnih mjesta. Ponosni smo što ovim događajem potvrđujemo našu dugoročnu posvećenost ovom regionu.“

Dževad Halilčević, direktor JP „Međunarodni aerodrom Tuzla“ d.o.o., rekao je: „Otvaranje baze Wizz Aira na Međunarodnom aerodromu Tuzla predstavlja važan korak u razvoju našeg aerodroma i jačanju međunarodne povezanosti Bosne i Hercegovine. Povratak i baziranje modernog aviona A321neo potvrđuje dugoročnu saradnju i povjerenje koje Wizz Air ukazuje našem regionu. Očekivani dolazak drugog aviona dodatno će proširiti broj destinacija, otvoriti nova radna mjesta i doprinijeti ekonomskom razvoju Tuzlanskog kantona. Međunarodni aerodrom Tuzla nastavit će ulagati u infrastrukturu i kvalitet usluga kako bi ostao pouzdan partner svim putnicima i aviokompanijama.“

Izvor: Medjunarodni Aerodrom Tuzla

✈ AJet will launch two new routes from Türkiye to Sarajevo

The Ankara–Sarajevo service will begin on July 1 and operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, through the end of October.

The Bodrum–Sarajevo service will commence on June 27 and operate once weekly, on Sundays, until the end of October.

All flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring 189 seats. 

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Lufthansa is increasing Frankfurt-Sarajevo flights to double daily

Beginning in April 2026, Lufthansa will boost its Frankfurt–Sarajevo service from 12 to 14 weekly flights. The route will operate twice daily, with a midday rotation and an evening flight arriving in Sarajevo at 22:00. The aircraft will overnight at Sarajevo Airport before departing at 06:20 next day, ensuring many connections across Lufthansa’s global network.

Last year, Lufthansa carried 120.870 passengers on the Frankfurt–Sarajevo route, representing an increase of 14,62% or 15.419 more travelers than the previous year. In total Lufthansa operated 835 flights, achieving an average load factor of 84,64%.

• Lufthansa started Frankfurt-Sarajevo flights on 03.05.2021. with daily flights using a mix of A319/320 aircraft

• Summer 2023 Lufthansa has increased flights from 7 weekly to 10 weekly

• Summer 2024 Lufthansa has increased flights from 10 weekly to 12 weekly

• Lufthansa Airbus A319 has capacity to seat 126 passengers , while A320 has capacity to seat 154 passengers.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Sarajevo-Istanbul Air Traffic Report for 2024

In 2024, Istanbul remained the leading destination from Sarajevo in both flight frequency and passenger volume. During the summer season, Turkish Airlines operated three daily flights between Sarajevo and Istanbul New Airport, while the winter schedule featured two daily services.

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport was also well connected, offering three daily flights to Sarajevo—two operated by Pegasus Airlines and one by A Jet, the low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.

In total, Sarajevo and Istanbul were linked by six daily flights across three carriers: A Jet, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, reaffirming the route’s consistently high demand.

The year also marked a major milestone, with a record 3.433 flights operated between the two cities and 562.799 passengers carried—an increase of 100.573 travelers, or 21,75%. Sarajevo Airport handled 1.821.762 passengers overall, with Istanbul accounting for 30,89% of all traffic.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Record October for Sarajevo Airport!

Sarajevo International Airport recorded another milestone in October 2025, handling 181.426 passengers  an 22% increase compared to the same month in 2024. This represents a year over year growth of 33.024 passengers. Aircraft movements also rose by 17%.

From January to September 2025, the airport welcomed a total of 1.955.537 passengers, marking a 18% increase or 367.954 more passengers when  compared to the same period last year.

Source: Zahid Krkić and Sarajevo International Airport

✈Photos of Sarajevo Airport PREMIUM lounge

Use the services of Sarajevo Airport PREMIUM lounge, and you also have access to the FAST TRACK LANE.

Price: 60,00 KM / 30,69 € + VAT - Link for lounge booking/reservation

Photos by Mirza SM. (15.10.2025). Thank you Mirza!

lying Bosnian

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Banjaluka Airport winter 2025/2026

The 2025/26 winter timetable will begin on Sunday, October 26, 2025, and run through March 28, 2026. During this period, passengers will be able to fly to 8 destinations across 5 countries, operated by 3 airlines. A total of 1.052 commercial flights are scheduled, offering 194.628 seats from November to March. Ryanair will operate the majority of flights to and from Banjaluka, serving five destinations in three countries. The airline has scheduled 684 round-trip flights, providing 129.276 seats.

During the November-March period, Ryanair will hold a 66% share of flights at Banjaluka Airport, followed by Wizz Air with 30%, and Air Serbia with just 3%. With Wizz Air establishing a base at Tuzla Airport and Ryanair expanding its operations in Sarajevo, Banjaluka Airport faces increasing competition for new routes and retaining its current ones.

To stay competitive, Banjaluka Airport management should focus on developing new markets not already served from Tuzla or Sarajevo. Many of these routes could work as summer seasonal, including:

• Athens (ATH) – Greece (Sky Express)
• Alicante (ALC) – Spain (Wizz Air)
• Bodrum (BJV) – Türkiye (SunExpress Airlines)
• Eindhoven (EIN) – Netherlands (Ryanair or Wizz Air)
• Tivat (TIV) – Montenegro (Air Montenegro)
• Nuremberg (NUE) – Germany (Ryanair or Wizz Air)
• Naples (NAP) – Italy (Ryanair, Wizz Air, or EasyJet)
• Salzburg (SZG) – Austria (Eurowings)

Source: Zahid Krkić