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Thursday, March 4, 2021

✈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

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