✈Sarajevo International Airport suspends passenger tax

House of Representatives of the Parliament of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina accepted the proposal of MP Nihad Čolpa to abolish taxes for passengers using airports in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar, Sarajevo and Tuzla Airports). Sarajevo International Airport passenger service charge for departing passengers on international flights is KM 35,20 or €18,00. In December of last year, the Government of  Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has suspended a ten euros passenger tax at Sarajevo Airport (the tax was collected for the development of air transport in Bosnia and Herzegovina).The air transport development tax, was introduced in 2005 to fund the development of the country’s air transport sector, but it was only collected at Sarajevo Airport. Funds collected from this tax were used for development and subventions of Tuzla and Mostar Airports. The tax has been suspended until December 31, 2021.

With these two taxes discontinued, passengers departing Sarajevo Airport will pay KM 54,60 or €28,00 less per air ticket.

Sarajevo Airport Passenger Service Charges (before suspension of charges)

“Sarajevo Airport is the most expensive in the region when comes to passengers taxes. For example, the taxes are four times higher than in Turkey, where the taxes are paid only by domestic citizens, all with the aim to bring as many tourists as possible. Our cultural and historical heritage, the combination of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture, beautiful Olympic mountains, as well as a diverse gastronomic offer give us the predisposition to make our offer more competitive than the offers of other countries in the region. The suspension of these taxes for  Sarajevo International Airport is the first in a series of measures in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a tourist leader in the region, which it deserves”, concluded Mr. Čolpa.

Stimulating air travel market by discontinuing passenger taxes will have multiple benefits on local economy, by bringing tourist to the country will create demand for hotel accommodations, restaurants and shopping. Increased tourist arrivals  will signal for new domestic investments in expanding accommodation capacities, creating new jobs in the hotel, rent a car and service industry.

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ Government to delay dividend collection from Sarajevo Airport

The Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has passed a Decision to delay collection of dividends from the public enterprise Sarajevo International Airport for a period of ten years.

The Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in exercising the authority of the Assembly of the enterprise of Sarajevo International Airport, will not make decisions on the distribution of profits for the payment of dividends or profit-sharing, from undistributed (accumulated) profit reported in the business books on December 31, 2020, or from the profit realized for a period of ten years after the adoption of this decision.

The proceeds will be used to finance investments determined by the business plans of the Sarajevo International Airport.

The decision was made after Sarajevo International Airport was forced to stop a significant number of ongoing investment projects due to coronavirus pandemic. The Government’s  decision is especially important for future airport development.

✈Bosnian Airports temporarily closed as of today!

The Bosnian government has decided to temporarily close all four international  airports in the country for passenger travel from March 30. due to coronavirus pandemic.

“Airports will be closed for all passenger traffic from March 30. The reason airports stayed opened until yesterday is due to many Bosnian citizens returning home after being stuck around the world airports due to coronavirus pandemic and for delivery of the equipment that will help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight against the coronavirus,” Bosnian prime minister Zoran Tegeltija said. After March 30tt  the airports will remain open for cargo and medical flights only, he added.

Closed Airports:

• Banja Luka International Airport (BNX)
• Mostar International Airport (OMO)
• Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)
• Tuzla International Airport (TZL)

Bosnian Government also amended the decision on the conditions for entry of foreign citizens into Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to this amendment, all foreign citizens are barred from entering the country unless they are diplomats or medical staff or foreign staff that will work in Bosnia on mitigating the coronavirus pandemic. 

If you are foreign citizen currently in Bosnia and Herzegovina and need help, please contact your embassy or diplomatic mission. List of foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Source: Flying Bosnian and Bosnian Goverment