Search Bosnia and Herzegovina aviation news

Thursday, February 16, 2017

✈Tuzla airport records strong January

Tuzla Airport registered double digit passenger growth in January by handling 26.116 passengers, up 35,77%.


Tuzla airport will see large Wizz Air expansion beginning next month. Wizz Air will base second Airbus 320 at the airport and launch flights from Tuzla to: 

  • 27.03.2017.Bratislava ( 3 weekly flights)
  • 27.03.2017.Cologne/Bonn (2 weekly flights)
  • 27.03.2017.Friedrichshafen (3 weekly flights)
  • 28.03.2017.Nuremberg (2 weekly flights)
  • 28.03.2017.Vaxjo (2 weekly flights)

Tuzla Airport is planning to handle 450.000 passengers this year

Source:Flying Bosnian and TIA  

Saturday, February 11, 2017

✈ New equipment for Mostar airport

Mistral Air Boeing 737-300 at Mostar airport apron
Mostar Airport is getting prepared for the arrival of a low-cost carrier with regular scheduled flights from the city for the first time. Expansion and modernization of the terminal building is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month. During last month, the airport recieved deliveries of various equipment :
  • Vehicle for handling passengers with reduced mobility (passengers in wheelchairs and or stretchers) which enables safe and comfortable access to and from the aircraft cabin.
  • Vehicle for cleaning aircraft toilets.
  • Vehicle to transport drinking water to and from the aircraft.
  • Ground power units
  • Conveyor belt for luggage loading and unloading. 


















Charter flights
Mostar airport is well known for its summer seasonal charter flights, mostly to and from Italy, catering to Italian Catholic pilgrims visiting Medjugorje. This is a popular site of Catholic pilgrimage due to reports of alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary.During this year Mistral Air will offer majority of flights to and from Mostar to: Rome, Naples, Bari and Milan, followed by Croatia Airlines with charter flights from Mostar to Beirut.
Eurowings to Germany
Last month, airport officials held a meeting with the German low-cost carrier Eurowings over possible flights from Stuttgart and Cologne to Mostar.  According to the airport officials, Eurowings will most likely start two weekly flights from Stuttgart to Mostar with the start of summer timetable of flights. City of Mostar and Herzegovina-Neretva County Government have allocated 230.000 Euros to support scheduled air service from the city. Eurowing is owned by Lufthansa Group.
Flights to Turkey
Turkish Airlines has shown interest in connecting Mostar and Istanbul, but these flights won’t materialize until the new Istanbul airport is open. Flights to Istanbul Ataturk airport are possible as Istanbul-Sarajevo-Mostar-Istanbul flights. Pegasus Airlines with its low cost carrier structure has possibility of introducing summer seasonal flights to Mostar.

Source: Flying Bosnian and Mostar Int. Airport

✈ Mostar airport investments for the future

Currently, work is in progress on expansion and modernization of the terminal building of Mostar International Airport. The work on terminal expansion is worth 250.000 Euros, and it's financed by the European Union IPA (Pre-Accession Assistance) funds for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar Airport is one of the partners in the project called ADRISTARTER (Advanced Development of Macroregional Infrastructures and Services for Transport and Accessibility of Residents, Tourists and Enterprises) that aims to consolidate reliable, smart and integrated transportation systems by developing and modernizing the existing multimodal physical infrastructure and services. As a pilot project, Mostar Airport will within ADRISTARTER project, among others, implement the extension of the Terminal building, adapting it for people with reduced mobility, and acquire an ambulance vehicle for airport medical unit. The work on the terminal expansion  is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.


Terminal building (airside) before renovation


Terminal building (airside) 
after renovation


Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its Air Transport Strategy for period 2017-2030. plans to invest 15 million Bosnian marks (7,6 million Euros) in Mostar airport development.
Last week of January, Mostar airport held talks with Eurowings about possible flights from Germany to Mostar. City of Mostar and the Government of Herzegovina-Neretva County have allocated 230.000 Euros to support the air service from the city. Mostar airport is awaiting a decision of the German low-cost carrier Eurowings on establishing flights between Stuttgart  and Mostar twice a week.

Source: Flying Bosnian 

Friday, February 10, 2017

✈ Sarajevo airport sees January growth


Sarajevo Airport handled 43.377 passengers during the first month of the year, representing an increase of 5,26% compared to 2016. Number of operated flights increased from 668 to 716 flights or 7,18% increase. In January, Sarajevo airport processed 137 tons of cargo.


Source: Sarajevo Int. Airport

✈ Sarajevo airport purchased most sophisticated aircraft towing equipment

Sarajevo International Airport successfully conducted a training of the airport staff for operation of a new tow truck for aircraft towing (tow-barless), type Goldhofer AST 3. This vehicle is capable of towing all types of aircraft up to 220t MTOW (from ERJ135 to B767) in a quick, flexible and cost-effective manner.  Goldhofer AST 3 is the most sophisticated model presently available at the market, designed for all aircraft movements: including pushback, extended pushback, towing of aircraft to the maintenance hangar, etc. In the future Sarajevo International Airport will continue to invest available resources into procurement of sophisticated equipment and training and education of its employees. Sarajevo Airport purchased one new tow truck at the price of 639.548 Bosnian marks or 327.000 Euros.






✈ Interview with Ismir Jusko - Minister of Transport and Communications of BiH

The following is an interview with the Minister of Transport and Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ismir Jusko taken from the December 2016 issue of Sarajevo Airport Magazine.

We are proud of the results of the Sarajevo airport



Ismir Jusko was appointed as Minister of Transport and Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina 11th. May 2016. For the Sarajevo Airport Magazine, we talked with him about the airport now and then, the expansion of capacity, the development of air traffic, the control of the domestic airspace, the famous Sarajevo fog because of which flights are always canceled …


SAM: This year marks the 20th. anniversary of the reopening of the Sarajevo airport. You had a chance to see the airport in 1996. Can you recall some pictures from that period?

JUSKO: After four years of war, the Sarajevo Airport looked depressed and gloomy, his surroundings and itself were filled with war scars. Today it is a place full of life. The Airport rose from the ashes and we can all together be proud of the results that it achieved in the transport of passengers and providing services to a number of international airlines. 

SAM: Within the Framework Strategy of Transport in B&H 2016-2030 it is planned to expand the existing terminal and access roads. How will the Airport be upon that?

JUSKO: The Framework Transport Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the action plans for its implementation were adopted at the 64th. session of the Council of Ministers of B&H. The Government of the FB&H adopted the Proposal of the Transport Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegov-ina for the period 2016 - 2030. The Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted a draft of the Transport Strategy of the Republic of Srpska for the period 2016 - 2030. The Government of Brcko District of B&H adopted a Conclusion on the adoption of the Draft of the Framework Transport Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2016 - 2030.

All international airports in B&H are important for us and we expect that they expand the capacity and scope of operations. To my knowledge, Sarajevo International Airport is planning to expand the existing terminal and access roads, because every year there is an evident increase in the number of passengers and flights. Existing terminals and the runway of 2,600 meters length and of 45 meters width allow the maximum annual capacity of 800,000 passengers, which is already showing a limiting factor for the development of the airport.

As I have been informed by the management of the Airport, the planned investments, expansion of the existing terminal and access to the airport, were estimated at 40 million euros. Also, they informed me that the road access to the airport was assessed as good.


SAM: When can we expect the start of the construction works?

JUSKO: To my knowledge, certain works at the Sarajevo International Airport, when it comes to upgrading capacity, should begin as early as next year.
SAM: Are you satisfied with the development of air transport in B&H in general?

JUSKO: The interest is huge and therefore we are fully satisfied. But because of the increasing interest of airlines to establish their lines at our airports it increases the number of passengers, which requires a larger spatial capacity of all its services and service overall.

In 2015, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the number of transported passengers was 1,130,023. In that number, the Sarajevo Airport is participating in 68 percent, 23 percent Tuzla, Mostar seven percent and two percent Banja Luka. Tuzla airport, for example, in 2015 recorded 259,074 passengers, which is 71.2 percent more than in 2014. Only in September 2016, 131,047 transported passengers were registered. It is interesting that in July, the Sarajevo International Airport served a total of 109,141 passengers, which represents an increase of 22 percent compared to the same month last year, breaking the record for the number of passengers in one month.

The volume of transported goods in air transport in B&H increased in 2015 to 373.4 percent compared to the year earlier.

These figures increase the need for the development of services and infrastructure of the air traffic in every aspect. Planned activities have been identified as well as in the aforementioned strategic documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

SAM: One of the objectives of the Transport Strategy is to improve the quality of services of passenger in air traffic. What can we expect in this regard during 2017?

JUSKO: In terms of the infrastructure, it is, as mentioned, the capacity expansion of the Sarajevo airport: restructuring of infrastructure, expansion of terminal capacity and improving the accessibility of roads, improvement of ICT perspective in parallel with the development of infrastructure. Next, we plan to expand the capacity of Mostar Airport, and develop the airport Banja Luka and Tuzla. The biggest challenge is securing sources of funding for infrastructure projects and technical improvement of airports.

SAM: In July 2016, you pointed out that 67 people will attend training for air traffic controllers „so that Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the next two years, takes over the control of the sky over 10,000 meters and thus earns millions". Is the training process in progress?

JUSKO: The process of training, and procurement of services of professional training of staff required for the implementation of Phase II of acquisition, management and control of air traffic in the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be carried out in accordance with the Law on Public Procurement of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Council of Ministers has approved the decision to initiate the vocational training of staff required for the implementation of Phase II acquisition, management and control of air traffic in the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Agency for the provision of air navigation services in Bosnia and Herzegovina carries out the procedure of the public procurement, which is still ongoing. The choice of the school center for conducting the training of personnel is expected by the end of 2016 or at the latest beginning of 2017. It will be known after the completion of the procurement of services of professional staff training.

SAM: What kind of training is it? Where will future air traffic controllers be deployed, in which of the airports?
JUSKO: It is a comprehensive training of candidates for the approachable and airport air traffic controllers and flight controllers. Upon completion of the training, the candidates will be arranged in units of access and airport air traffic controls in locations in Mostar, Tuzla, Sarajevo and Banja Luka, and the Area Control Centre in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, in accordance with the completion of the training, all in order to meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency of service delivery in the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

SAM: When can we expect for B&H to start controlling its sky and what benefit will we have from that?

JUSKO: After the transition of the entity Directorates of Civil Aviation ie. The Federal Directorate for Civil Aviation and Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Srpska into BHANSA on 13th November 2014, this agency claimed the responsibility for the provision of approachable and airport air traffic control with the associated services, in controlled zones of international B&H Airports in Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo and Tuzla, with associated services, in part of the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at an altitude up to 10,000 meters (FL 100 to FL 325) by the Operative Unit of Flight Control in Sarajevo (ATCU I). The goal is clear in front of us, and it is a huge challenge, and it is reflected in taking over the providing of air navigation services in the layer of airspace above 10,000 feet (FL 325 – FL 660). Currently, these operations are carried out by the competent authorities to which these tasks were delegated, those are the air traffic control services of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. The fee that belongs to them for the performance of delegated responsibilities will be transferred to Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as the necessary conditions are met, that is when the activities that will ensure safe control of the sky above Bosnia and Herzegovina are fully implemented.

SAM: Are B&H air regulations in full compliance with EU regulations?

JUSKO: B&H has ratified the Agreement on the Establishment of Joint Aviation Authorities (European Common Aviation Area - ECAA) and signed a working arrangement with EASA, thus accepting the obligation to implement the regulations of the European Union in the field of civil aviation. BHDCA has issued a set of regulations in the field of civil aviation that puts the B&H legislation into line with EU legislation. The total number of transposed legislation is 41, which represents 80 percent of the total number of regulations that need to be implemented.

SAM: Is there a plan to attract more air operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is there the need for it?

JUSKO: We have announcements for the establishment of new air lines from operators, and some of their plans and wishes are transferred to us by diplomats that come from the countries of interested airlines.

At this time, in addition to existing destinations, the direct connection with Budapest and Doha and other destinations for which operators expressed interest have already been announced. The procedures are implemented by the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that Sarajevo and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina are as better connected with the world.

SAM: With the arrival of winter the Sarajevo International Airport is facing its biggest problem - thick fog, because of which flights are often canceled. Can this problem be solved and in what way?

JUSKO: The Sarajevo airport is very demanding by itself, but when you add the element of fog to it, it further complicates the situation. The Sarajevo Airport has adopted a plan to work on this issue, on which , as I have been informed, intensive activities are implemented. I believe that through the expansion of the capacity of other airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina we could create a high-quality mutual cooperation in the sense that at the time of fog and difficult landing at the Sarajevo airport, the flights are diverted to airports in Tuzla, Mostar and Banja Luka

SAM: What is your biggest challenge when it comes to air traffic?
JUSKO: The biggest challenge is to take complete control of the B&H airspace from Croatia and Serbia. There is also the further harmonization of national legislation with EU standards. When it comes to regulation, in particular, we must review the toll model and continue with the realization of the strategic goals.
Of course, we expect to intensify in the coming period the works on the expansion of the existing airport terminal and the construction of a new and as well as the extension of the landing runway where it is also necessary to modernize the access roads.

Source: Sarajevo Airport Magazine

✈ Sarajevo airport purchased a special vehicle - Ambulift

In order to provide adequate service to passengers with reduced mobility, Sarajevo International Airport has purchased a special vehicle - Ambulift. It is a special vehicle for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers with reduced mobility, people in wheelchairs and stretchers which enables a safe and comfortable access to a passenger cabin in all types of aircraft.

The employees who will operate this vehicle have been successfully trained. Ambulift has fastening systems using rails for securing the wheelchairs and several folding seats to accommodate other passengers and escorts. In general, the infrastructure of Sarajevo International Airport is adjusted to needs of people with reduced mobility, and this vehicle will enable a complete service to people with reduced mobility, in accordance with best global standards, which is Sarajevo airport priority and obligation to its passengers. Sarajevo Airport has purchased special vehicle - Ambulift from Austrian company  Bulmor Airground Technologies GmbH, price paid 589.006 Bosnian marks or 301.153.





Source:Sarajevo International Airport

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

✈ Schedule of charter flights Sarajevo-Antalya

This summer season Sarajevo International Airport will be connected with Antalya with charter flights offered by two airlines: Turkish Airlines and Borajet. Flights will run from 26.05.2017. to 08.09.2017. Turkish Airlines will operate 37 round-trip flights, while Bora Jet will operate 23 round-trip flights.


Complete schedule of Antalya-Sarajevo-Antalya flights: 

MAY 2017

Date and day
Flight number
Arriving from AYT
Departing SJJ
Airline
Aircraft
1
26.05.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
JUNE 2017

Date and day
Flight number
Arriving from AYT
Departing SJJ
Airline
Aircraft
2
02.06.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
3
08.06.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
4
09.06.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
5
15.06.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
6
16.06.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
7
21.06.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
8
22.06.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
9
23.06.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
10
28.06.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
11
29.06.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
12
30.06.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
JULY 2017

Date and day
Flight number
Arriving from AYT
Departing SJJ
Airline
Aircraft
13
02.07.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
14
03.07.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
15
05.07.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
16
06.07.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
17
07.07.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
18
09.07.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
19
10.07.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
20
12.07.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
21
13.07.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
22
14.07.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
23
16.07.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
24
17.07.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
25
19.07.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
26
20.07.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
27
21.07.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
28
23.07.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
29
24.07.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
30
26.07.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
31
27.07.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
32
28.07.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
33
30.07.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
34
31.07.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
AUGUST 2017

Date and day
Flight number
Arriving from AYT
Departing SJJ
Airline
Aircraft
35
02.08.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
36
03.08.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
37
04.08.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
38
06.08.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
39
07.08.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
40
09.08.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
41
10.08.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
42
11.08.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
43
13.08.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
44
14.08.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
45
16.08.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
46
17.08.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
47
18.08.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
48
20.08.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
49
21.08.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
50
23.08.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
51
24.08.2017. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
52
25.08.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
53
27.08.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
54
28.08.2017. MO
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
55
30.08.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
56
31.08.2107. TH
YB 9339
YB 9340
09:15
10:00
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
SEPTEMBER 2017

Date and day
Flight number
Arriving from AYT
Departing SJJ
Airline
Aircraft
57
01.09.2017. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
58
03.09.2017. SU
YB 9339
YB 9340
08:45
09:30
Bora Jet
Embraer 190
59
06.09.2017. WE
TK 4118
TK 4119
16:40
17:40
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800
60
08.09.2107. FR
TK 4176
TK 4177
10:00
11:00
Turkish Airlines
Boeing 737-800








Source: Flying Bosnian