✈CEO of Emirates to attend Sarajevo Business Forum

One of the most successful businessmen and investors, a member of the ruling United Arab Emirates family, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is attending this year's Sarajevo Business Forum.

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, is Chairman and CEO of one of the world's largest airlines Emirates, confirmed the arrival to the Sarajevo Business Forum 2019, the leading investment conference in Southeast Europe, which will be held this year from April 17 to 19 under the patronage of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is very likely for Emirates to announce Sarajevo as its next destination as the airline starts receiving smaller aircraft, suitable for Sarajevo Airport operations (Airbus A330-900neo is scheduled to join Emirates fleet from 2021).   

Al Maktoum is a senior United Arab Emirates official and is most deserving of the Dubai meteoric rise of the airline industry for 27 years. He was the lead of the Civil Aviation Directorate of Dubai since 1985, when the incredible business, investment and tourism expansion of this emirate, which today is the world's business metropolis, has begun.

Corporations from the area that Ahmed Al Maktoum is leading are today the largest in the region and among the most successful in the world. This is not the first visit for Mr. Al Maktoum to the Sarajevo Business Forum. He was a distinguished guest of the investment conference in 2010. The connection that was then established was crucial for a later fruitful continuation of cooperation, and then a decision to establish a direct flights between Dubai and Sarajevo.

Namely, during the visit of the director of BBI Bank Amer Bukvić Dubai, Sheikh Al Maktoum announced the arrival of one of his airline "Fly Dubai" in Sarajevo, which was later realized. Today, Flydubai is real engine for the development of tourism and business connections between Bosnia and Herzegovina and  and United Arab Emirates. Sheik Al Maktoum is a graduate of political science in Denver, USA, and is extremely appreciated in the world of business. He is the holder of numerous awards and prizes including the Order of Legion of Honor, the highest French decoration, Legend of Aviation—2007 Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year.

Bosna Bank International (BBI), in cooperation with its shareholders (Islamic Development Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) and other international partners, is the organizer of the annual International Business and Investment Conference - Sarajevo Business Forum (SBF). The Conference was initially organized in 2010 and since then, has been held every year. The conference has been positioned as one of the most important business and investment events for Southeastern Europe.

Sarajevo Business Forum is connecting institutional and private investors and businessmen from all over the world with businessmen and project owners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. It represents a platform for business networking and exploration of investment and business opportunities in the Southeast Europe region with the sole objective to foster its economic development.

 Sarajevo Business Forum Airline Gold Sponsors for 2019 are:

FlyBosnia and Turkish Airlines

The list of renowned SBF attendees during the previous eight years include H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey; H.E. Dr. Bandar M.H. Hajjar, President of Islamic Development Bank Group; H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia; H.E. Mehmet Simsek, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group; H.E. Dr. Ahmet Davutoglu, former Prime Minister of Turkey; H.E. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, State Minister for Financial Affairs of UAE; H.E. James Steinberg, former Deputy Secretary of State of the USA; H.E. Christian Danielsson, European Commission Director-General for NEAR and many more.

Source: Sarajevo Business Forum 

✈Big switch to Istanbul New Airport begins tomorrow

Istanbul New Airport Control Tower

In a massive logistics operation that will start tomorrow, Turkey is going to say goodbye to Atatürk Airport, which has long been home to Turkey's rise in global aviation and move to the new Istanbul Airport. The long-awaited process of shifting from the longtime home of Turkish civil aviation, Atatürk Airport, to the new Istanbul Airport will kick off at 3 a.m. tomorrow. The move will last for 45 hours and be completed just before midnight on Saturday if all goes according to plan. Both the outgoing Atatürk Airport and the incoming Istanbul Airport will be closed to all passenger flights for a period of 12 hours, between 2 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day.

Atatürk International Airport, which was commissioned in 1953, will no longer serve commercial flights as of Saturday. The airport, which handled 68 million people last year, will transition to other uses, such as training activities, aviation fairs and civil use.

The last plane to carry passengers from Atatürk Airport will fly to Singapore on Saturday at 2 a.m. [April 5, 2300GMT]. Flights at Istanbul Airport will increase gradually as of Saturday at 2 p.m. The first flight after the big move will be to Ankara's Esenboğa Airport.

Due to big move Turkish Airlines flights to Sarajevo will see temporarily adjustments. In transition period flights will operate once a day instead of three daily (from April 5 to April 11). On April 11 all flights go back to normal and will operate as scheduled three times per day.

Istanbul-Sarajevo schedule

Sarajevo- Istanbul schedule

Source: Daily Sabah

✈Wide-body aircraft at Sarajevo Airport

✈Gallery of wide-body aircraft at Sarajevo International Airport ✈

Antonov 124	McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Boeing 767-300	Airbus 330F
Airbus 310	Airbus 330-200
Airbus 330-200	Airbus 310
Boeing 777-200	Airbus 330-200
Airbus 310F
Airbus 310	Illushin 76
Airbus 330-300	Airbus 330-300
Airbus 330-200	C-17 Globemaste
Airbus 310F	Airbus A400M Atlas

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈Fastest-growing country markets in Europe

In Q2 2018, Georgia was Europe’s fastest-growing country market (capacity up 28% in Q2 2018 vs Q2 2017), and it has continued its momentum into S19, with it showing to be the continent’s fourth fastest-growing market in Q2 2019. Along with Georgia, the only other markets in the top 15 for Q2 2019 growth that also appeared in the same category during Q2 2018 are North Macedonia (14% growth in Q2 2019; 17% growth in Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017), Latvia (12%; 19%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (11,1%) and Hungary (8.2%; 15%). Of the countries listed in the top 15, only one appears in the top 15 ranking for most seats, with Portugal being Europe’s 12th largest market regarding total departing seats in Q2 2019. The top markets remain the UK (3.1% growth in Q2 2019), followed by Spain (3.7%), Germany (2.0%), Italy (5.9%) and France (5.2%). 

Ryanair remains the top airline on the continent, with it growing its seat capacity by 7.6% in Q2 2019, which represent just under 2.88 million additional departing seats versus the same quarter of 2018. easyJet is growing ever so slightly faster than Ryanair, but when it comes to net seat increase, it is only adding 2.17 million, less than the number being added by Ryanair.

The fastest-growing airline among Europe’s top operators is Wizz Air, with it showing an 18% rise in its departing seat capacity during Q2 2019, a result of it operating an additional 1.68 million departing seats. Regarding the other end of the spectrum, Air France, SAS, Norwegian, Eurowings and Pegasus Airlines are all showing declines in the number of seats they’re operating during Q2 2019, with Norwegian seeing the greatest cut at 5.0%. For Norwegian, its capacity has been reduced in the short-haul market, with it posting a 6.7% cut in this sector. However, it does continue to push its long-haul agenda, with data showing that it has increased its long-haul capacity during Q2 2019 by 21%. While this is impressive, the carrier’s long-haul operations still only account for 5.9% of all seats it operates during the period, although this has grown from a share of 4.6% posted in Q2 2018.

Source:Anna aero

✈Bus schedule Sarajevo Airport- City center

Centrotrans Eurolines, in cooperation with Sarajevo International Airport, is running bus service from Sarajevo Airport - to Sarajevo City Center (Baščaršija). Bus stand is just outside of arrivals area in main terminal. WiFi internet is available on board of buses. Ticket prices are five Bosnian Marks (€ 2,56) for one way ticket, and eight Bosnian Marks (€ 4,10) for round-trip ticket. Tickets are purchased from buss driver (please have cash ready and Bosnian Marks only).

Bus timetable-Leaving Sarajevo Airport

Bus timetable-Leaving Sarajevo City Center (Baščaršija)

Source: Sarajevo Airport

✈Tuzla Airport passengers decline in March

Tuzla Airport terminal building interior (photo by Edin Avdic)

Tuzla Airport has recorded sixth consecutive month of passengers decline. Numbers of passengers started declining with the beginning of winter timetable when Wizz air has discontinued four destinations from the city and made them summer seasonal (Billund, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Stockholm-Skavsta, Växjö). All destinations were reintroduced yesterday and will operate until the end of summer timetable of flights (endo of October). Tuzla Airport management is currently negotiating a new four-year contract with Wizz Air about extension of current flights and possible introductions of new flights (possibility is return of Tuzla-London Luton and Tuzla-Oslo Sandefjord Airport flights). 

Most likely new contract will be signed, and third aircraft will be based at the airport with new destination to be announced to begin in Winter 2019/20 flight schedule. This will give airport turning point and a boost in competition with Ryanair at Banja Luka airport. Ryanair is expected to expend its network from Banja Luka airport from current four destination to eight in fall of 2019 and spring of 2020. With this expansion Ryanair is creating some serious competition for Wizz Air.

Tuzla Airport passenger numbers from October 2018 to March 2019

Source:Flying Bosnian

✈BHANSA CEO Receives European Commission's Single European Sky award

Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Navigation Services Agency (BHANSA) has won this year's European Commission's Single European Sky award in the Network Performance category at the world congress of air navigation service providers in Madrid (World ATM Congress) for SECSI FRA (The South East Common Sky Initiative Free Route Airspace), project realized with partner agencies from Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Austria.

The prestigious award of Single European Sky is given to BHANSA CEO Mr Davorin Primorac.

BHANSA CEO Mr Davorin Primorac

SECSI FRA project developed by merging the free routes airspaces of SEAFRA (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia) and SAXFRA (Austria and Slovenia), went operational on 01 February 2018.

SECSI FRA project offers the shortest route options from Central Europe to South Eastern Europe to airspace users.  Potential savings per day are up to 1.940 NM in flight distance, 285 minutes in flight time, a reduction in fuel consumption of 8,000 kg and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 25,500kg.

„This award is a major achievment for BHANSA, as the youngest service provider in Europe, which makes us proud because this shows that we’re on the right path. SECSI FRA is the next important step towards Free Route airspace across all of Europe. Step by Step, Single European Sky is becoming a reality, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of it, "said Mr Davorin Primorac.

EUROCONTROL has initiated the coordinated development and implementation of Free Route Space, in close cooperation with civil and military experts in airspace design, European countries, air navigation service providers, airspace users, flight planning organizations and other relevant international bodies.

BHANSA has been actively involved in these activities, and award received is a confirmation of committed and successful work.

Source: BHANSA

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina tourism statistics for 2018

Stari Most - Mostar 

Bosnia and Herzegovina is rapidly emerging as one of the top adventure destinations in Europe, and year after year is recording record number of tourists visiting the country. In 2013, the World Economic Forum reported in its Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report that Bosnia and Herzegovina was the world's eighth friendliest nation towards tourists. According to an estimate of the World Tourism Organization, Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the third highest tourism growth rate in the world between 1995 and 2020.

In 2018, 1.465.412 tourists visited Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing an increase of 12,1% with 3.040.190 overnight hotel stays, a 13,5% increase from the previous year. Also, 71,2% of the tourists came from foreign countries. Majority of tourist arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina are using commercial air carriers. With the increase of presence of low-cost air carriers and connectivity to major European airports the number of tourists is expected to grow at bigger rate then expected.

Large number of tourists is coming from Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar). Flydubai is offering three daily flights in summer months from Dubai to Sarajevo, Qatar Airways is offering four weekly flights between Doha and Sarajevo (it is planed for flights to go daily in near future), Air Arabia if offering two daily flights during July and August between Sharjah in United Arab Emirates and Sarajevo. Bosnian startup airline FlyBosnia has received all necessary permits and signed cooperation agreements with tourist agencies, airports and ground handling agencies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain to start flights. Flights are booked in advance  by travel agencies and should start in June. FlyBosnia will fly from Sarajevo to Riyadh 3x weekly, Jeddah 2x weekly, Kuwait City 2x weekly and Bahrain 2x weekly.

FlyBosnia Airbus 319 E7-FBA at Sarajevo Airport

Bosnia and Herzegovina is expecting to record 10% growth in tourist arrivals this year, with numerous new hotels being opened through the country, to name the few: two Marriot hotels in Sarajevo, one in Banja Luka and Mostar. Swissotel in Sarajevo and Novotel in Sarajevo. Hilton Sarajevo is currently under construction. Arrival of new airlines and development of domestic airline. FlyBosnia will increase tourists’ arrivals by double digit numbers.

Swissotel in Sarajevo

Cumulative data, January –December 2018

In the period from January – December 2018 Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 1.465.412 tourists’ arrivals which represent the increase of 12.1% and 3.040.190 overnight stays which is an increase of 13,5% compared to the same period of 2017.

Top 20 countries (tourist arrivals)

The number of domestic tourist nights increased by 14.5% and number of foreign tourist nights increased by 13.1% as compared to the same period of 2017. Domestic tourist’s share of total number of overnight stays was 28.8% and foreign tourists share was 71.2%.

Overnight stays (in 51.8 percent) were done by tourists from following countries:

Croatia (12.5%), Serbia (8.2%), Turkey (6.1%), Slovenia (5.7%), United Arab Emirates and Germany (5.0% each), Italy (4.9%) and Poland (4.4%). Tourists from other countries made up 48.2% of tourist night stays.

Foreign tourist with longest stay in 2018 were from Malta with average stay of 5.2 nights, followed by Ireland by 3.7 nights, Kuwait by 3.6 nights, Qatar with 3.3 nights, United Arab Emirates with 3.1 and nights and Egypt, France and Island with 3.0 nights. Most common accommodation booked by foreign tourist was in Hotels, total 91,1% of all tourists stayed in Hotels, while 8,9% used private rooms and other type of accommodation.

Full list of countries with numbers of tourists visitingBosnia and Herzegovina in 2018.

Source: Flying Bosnian and Agency for Statistics of Bosniaand Herzegovina

✈ FlyBosnia flights on Flightradar24

According to popular flight tracking website flight radar24 FlyBosnia  has issued landing slots at following airports:

FRANKFURT (FRA)

LONDON (LGW)

MOSCOW (SVO)

ROME (FCO)

RIYADH (RUH)

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ Summer Charter flights Tuzla-Antalya

Freebird Airlines A320 boardin at Tuzla Airport

Tuzla International Airport will be connected with Antalya this summer with charter flight organized by Golden Tours travel agency. Tuzla-Antalya flights will be operated by Free Bird Airlines twice per week, every Tuesday and Friday from June 11 to September 09, on board of an Airbus 320 with 180 seats. This year number of flights has doubled compared to previous years. Total of 48 flights are scheduled in both direction, offering 8.640 seats (compared to 4.320 seats last year). 

Tuzla-Antalya flights are scheduled on following days

Source: Flying Bosnian