✈ Gulf carriers competitions for Sarajevo market

Last year a total of 1.2 million tourist were recorded visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 126 countries worldwide. During 2016, this number should reach around 1.5 million visitors. Countries with largest increase in visitors are: United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China! Majority of the tourist arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina by air, mostly using Sarajevo International Airport. Before arrival of air carriers from Gulf region, Turkish Airlines benefited mostly from visitors from Asia, Australia and mainly Gulf region.

Competitions of Gulf carriers is intensifying on Sarajevo market!

Just recently Air Arabia had to give up its yearlong service from Sharjah to Sarajevo to summer operations only. The airline started flights in March of this year with plans to fly three times per week year round. During month of Ramadan Air Arabia canceled all its flights to Sarajevo, due to very popular flights by its competitor, Flydubai.  Flydubai is flying to main airport in United Arab Emirates (Dubai International Airport) offering great range of connections on its own network as well as network of Emirates Airlines, while Air Arabia hub is at Sharjah International Airport, with limited connection on Air Arabia flights only, making it less desirable. Air Arabia last flight to Sarajevo, for this year, was operated on September 20. Even though, the airline had successful summer, with daily flights from June until September, the route is highly seasonal, when majority of people from Gulf countries visit Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fly Dubai will maintain four weekly flights between Dubai and Sarajevo in coming winter months (an increase of 2 more flights per week comparing to last winter schedule). 

Investments from United Arab Emirates in Bosnian tourism industry!

Last week foundation stone was laid for Buroj Ozone City, in Trnovo near Sarajevo (largest tourist resort in Bosnia and Herzegovina and this part of Europe). This investment, worth 4.5 billion Bosnian Marks or 2.3 billion Euros, will be realized by Buroj International Group from Dubai. This project and many others currently being implemented around Sarajevo will cater for growing number of tourist from Gulf countries visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina. With big project like this, we can expect huge increase in air travel between Gulf countries and Sarajevo International Airport. For next summer season Fly Dubai will run its twice daily service to Sarajevo from July to October. Air Arabia will resume flights from Sharjah on 18.03.2017. with three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On 01.07.2017. flights will be operated on daily basis until end of September. Qatar Airways will start flights from Doha to Sarajevo with the beginning of summer schedule at the end of March, with three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Etihad Airways is offering daily connection with its daughter company Air Serbia trough Belgrade. Kuwait Airways is likely to launch flights from Kuwait City to Sarajevo in 2017.

Ramadan 2017!

From 27. May to 24. June Holly month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide, as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad, according to Islamic belief. During this period air travel is very low and during that time airlines downsize its operations. It is expected during this period that some of the flights to United Arab Emirates and Qatar could be canceled.

Number of flights  and seats offered in peak summer season by air carriers from United Arab Emirates and Qatar to Sarajevo International Airport.

Airline	June	July	August	September	Seats
Air Arabia	11	30	31	30	33.048
fly Dubai	17	60	62	60	69.252
Qatar Air.	13	13	13	13	14.976
Total	41	103	106	103	117.276

• Air Arabia operates its flights to Sarajevo with Airbus 320 offering 162 seats
• Flydubai operates its flights to Sarajevo with Boeing 737-800 offering 174 seats
• Qatar Airways operates its flights to Sarajevo with Airbus 320 offering 144 seats

Source: FlyingBosnian