Search Bosnia and Herzegovina aviation news

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

✈ Vienna – Sarajevo air traffic statistics data for 2024

In 2024, a total of 176.475 passengers traveled between Vienna and Sarajevo, marking a record year for Austrian Airlines on this route. The airline has been operating flights between the two cities since the spring of 1996 and remains the sole carrier serving the route. The Vienna route accounted for 9,68% of Sarajevo Airport’s total passenger traffic last year.

During the summer schedule, Austrian Airlines deployed Airbus A320 aircraft, while Embraer 195 jets were used in the winter timetable. Over the course of the year, the airline operated 1.344 round-trip flights, achieving an average cabin load factor of 84%, which translates to approximately 131 passengers per flight.

Of the total passengers, 88.094 flew from Vienna to Sarajevo, and 88.381 traveled in the opposite direction. The total passenger count represented a 6,17% increase or 10.264 more passengers when compared to the previous year, setting a new milestone in the route’s 29-year history.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Zagreb – Sarajevo air traffic statistics data for 2024

Last year, a total of 56.248 passengers traveled between Zagreb and Sarajevo. Croatia Airlines was the sole airline operating on this route, offering two daily flights with Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. In total, Croatia Airlines operated 1.511 flights (round trip), with an average cabin load factor of 51%, which equates to about 43 passengers per flight. The number of passengers increased by 7,81% or 4.079 passengers more when compared to the year before.



Source: Zahid Krkić

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

✈ Tuzla Airport: public call for flight subsidies


Pursuant to Articles 3. and 30. of the Law on Tourist Associations ("Official Gazette of Tuzla Canton", No. 11/15), Articles 27. and 30. of the Statute of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton ("Official Gazette of Tuzla Canton", No. 5/17), the Work Program and Financial Plan of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton for the year 2025, the Subsidy Program for Air Transport at Tuzla Airport aimed at developing tourism in the territory of Tuzla Canton (No. 02/1-0417170/25 dated 22nd of May 2025), and the Decision on the Announcement of the Public Call for the Allocation of Subsidies at Tuzla International Airport (No. 02-277-2/25 dated 26th of May 2025), the Head of the Tourist Office of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton hereby announces:

PUBLIC CALL FOR

The Award of Air Transport Subsidies at Tuzla International Airport for the Purpose of Tourism Development in Tuzla Canton

I Subject of the Public Call

The subject of this Public Call is the award of subsidies to airlines for the establishment of a base and new air routes at Tuzla International Airport, specifically routes that have not been operated for at least 12 months prior to the publication date of this Public Call, which are expected to contribute to the development of tourism in Tuzla Canton.

Establishment of an airline base:

This refers to the airline stationing aircraft and crew at Tuzla International Airport and conducting scheduled flights from this location.

New air routes:

The establishment of new routes to strategic destinations in the following countries:

Austria

Germany

 France

 Benelux countries

 Sweden

 Other countries for which the Government of Tuzla Canton determines that there is a justified interest in accordance with market changes in the field of air transport (prices, regulations, competition, taxes...), based on a proposal by Tuzla International Airport.

Il Purpose and Objective of the Public Call

The purpose and objective of this Public Call is the implementation of the tourism development project in Tuzla Canton through subsidizing air transport at Tuzla International Airport, by encouraging airlines to:

Establish a base at Tuzla International Airport;

+-Launch new air routes to strategic destinations;

Increase the number of arriving passengers and development of tourism in the Tuzla Canton area.

Ill Subsidy Mechanism

Funds for air transport subsidies for the year 2025 in the amount of BAM 1,200,000.00 (one million two hundred thousand Convertible Marks) are secured under the budget line 22010001

 Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Transport, economic code 614300, sub-analytic code MAXI 00 (function 0473), as a current transfer to non-profit organizations.

The air transport subsidy will be paid per arriving passenger to Tuzla Canton in the amount of EUR 6/passenger, calculated in BAM at the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina's middle exchange rate on the date of disbursement.

The funds planned under a separate Government decision for the period 2026—2028, in the annual amount of BAM 2,000,000.00 (two million Convertible Marks), will be executed in accordance with the budget implementation law applicable to the relevant fiscal year, and under the same audit principles defined in point Ill of the Program for Air Transport Subsidies at Tuzla Airport No. 02/1-04-17170/25 dated May 22nd 2025.

The determined subsidy amount per arriving passenger may be subject to revision based on an analysis of the economic effects on tourism in the Tuzla Canton area and market changes in air transport, for a period of 24 months from the start of the subsidization. The revision includes an assessment ofachieved results (number of flights, number of arriving passengers, load factor, seasonality), tourism effects (tourist traffic, overnight stays, revenues), market conditions, and compliance with contractual obligations. The revision may lead to: continuation ofthe contract, modification of subsidy conditions, temporary suspension of payments, or a proposal for contract termination.

IV. Eligibility to Participate

1.     The following airlines are eligible to participate:

a)  Those holding a valid Operator's License;

b) Those holding a valid EU Air Operator Certificate (AOC);

c)  Those registered to perform the relevant business activity;

d) Those having an operational backup aircraft with a minimum of 180 seats within their fleet;

e)  Those with an established online system for the sale of airline tickets and related services;

f)   Those that will operate aircraft with a minimum seating capacity of 180 seats.

2.     Interested airlines must submit an application including the following documentation:

a)  A completed, signed, and certified application form, which is an integral part of this

Public Call (available on the website of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton: www.tourism-tk.ba);

b) A copy of the Operator's License;

c)  A copy of the valid EU AOC certificate;

d) A copy of the current extract from the court register or an equivalent document proving registration for the relevant activity in another national register;

e)  An original Statement on the fleet, sales system, and aircraft capacities as per items

l.d), 1 .e), and l.f). The statements must be signed and certified by a person authorized to sign such documents. If the signatory is not listed as a legal representative in the registration document, a copy of the authorization to sign must also be submitted.

V Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following elements: number of aircraft to be based and the proposed timeframe for basing, number of new routes to strategic destinations, fulfilment of formal, legal and technical requirements. The specific scoring criteria are outlined in the table below:

 

Criteria Name

Scoring

each based aircraft is individuall awarded oints

10 Points

5 Points

a)

Planned number of based aircraft from the date of contract signing: deadline for basing one aircraft deadline for basing two aircraft deadline for basing three or more aircraft

 

within 180 days

from 181 to 365 days

within 180 days

from 181 to 365 days

within 180 days

from 181 to 365 days

b)

Planned number of new routes to destinations in countries identified as strategic, within the first 12 months from the contract signing date

Note: The participant in the public call procedure is required to propose the introduction ofat least one new destination in each orthe identified strategic countries. For the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and

Luxembourg), a proposal ofat least one new destination within anv ofthe mentioned countries is su Icient.

6 or more routes

5 routes

In the event of equal scores, prioritp will be given to the airline that currently operates a higher number ofregular. non-subsidized routes (rom Tuz.la International Airport.

VI Application Procedure and Deadline

The Public Call is published on the official websites of the Tuzla Canton Tourist Board, Tuzla International Airport, the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Transport of Tuzla Canton, and the

Government of Tuzla Canton.

Electronic submission deadline:

Applications must be submitted via email to turzajtk@bih.net.ba no later than 13:00 (CET) on the fifth day following the publication of this Public Call on the official website of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton (www.tourism-tk.ba).

This Public Call will also be distributed via email to a minimum of three potentially eligible airlines.

Hardcopy submission:

In addition to electronic submission via email to turzajtk@bih.net.ba, applicants are also required to deliver the original application and supporting documentation in hard copy to the following address: Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton, Muftije ef. Kurta no. 1, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The documents must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked with: "Public Call for Air Transport Subsidies — Do Not Open".

The hard copy must be delivered no later than 15 days after the electronic submission deadline.

Opening of Applications:

All applications received via email will be opened at 14:00 (CET) on the same day the electronic submission deadline expires, at the premises of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton.

VII Selection and Deadlines

Upon expiration of the electronic submission deadline, a Commission appointed by a formal act of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton will review, evaluate, and rank the submitted applications in accordance with the conditions and criteria outlined in this Public Call.

The evaluation process will be completed no later than two (2) days from the date of application opening.

Based on the Commission's recommendation, the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton will issue an official Decision on the outcome of the Public Call, which will be published on the official website (www.tourism-tk.ba) within three (3) days of receiving the Commission's recommendation.

VIll Appeals

Airlines that have submitted a formally and legally valid application under this Public Call may file an appeal against the Decision of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton.

The appeal must be submitted via email to turzajtk@bih.net.ba, within three (3) days from the date of publication of the Decision on the official website of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton.

The Tourism Council will issue a ruling on the appeal within three (3) days from the date the appeal is received.

The decision of the Tourism Council is final.

IX Contract Award and Signing

The Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton will sign a contract with the selected airline, regulating in detail the mutual rights and obligations, no later than fifteen (15) days from the date of issuance of the Decision on the selection of the airline for subsidy allocation.

If the subsidy funds under this Public Call are awarded to an airline that, at the time of the Public Call publication, already operates routes to destinations in the countries listed under

Section I of this Call, the contract will stipulate the airline's obligation to continue operating those existing routes for a minimum period of twelve (12) months from the date of aircraft basing at Tuzla International Airport.

Failure to comply with this obligation entitles the contracting authority to unilaterally terminate the contract, except in cases where the suspension or reduction of existing routes is due to force majeure and/or proven economic unfeasibility.

X Additional Information

For the purposes of this Public Call, electronic communication — specifically email — is established as the official means of correspondence, and will be used for the exchange of documents and conducting all procedural steps related to this Public Call.

The official website of the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton (www.tourism-tk.ba) will be used for publication of relevant documents.

The official language of communication with airlines is English.

The legal protection procedure shall be conducted in one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Source: Tuzla International Airport


Monday, May 26, 2025

✈ Belgrade – Sarajevo air traffic statistics data for 2024



Last year, a total of 42.467 passengers traveled between Belgrade and Sarajevo. Air Serbia was the sole airline operating on this route, offering one daily flight with an ATR72 aircraft, although at times, an Airbus A319 was also used. In total, Air Serbia operated 742 flights (round trip), with an average cabin load factor of 66%, which equates to about 57 passengers per flight.

Although Air Serbia has previously announced plans for a second daily flight to Sarajevo, the airline has yet to seize the opportunity to connect passengers from Bosnia and Herzegovina to its long-haul network. A second daily flight, with a late arrival and an early departure from Sarajevo, is essential for Air Serbia to link passengers to its extensive range of routes from Belgrade.

Historically, airlines flying to Sarajevo started with just one daily flight, but many, including Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have since expanded to two or even three daily flights. Air Serbia, however, appears to be lacking a clear strategy when it comes to route development. Its current offering of a single daily flight with a small ATR72 to Sarajevo, or even worse, only two weekly flights to Banjaluka, puts it at a disadvantage.

Since, Air Serbia has ideal aircraft ATR72, for short routes, the airline must increase its service to at least two daily flights to Sarajevo (3 daily during summer months) and introduce a daily flight Belgrade-Banjaluka.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ London-Sarajevo air connectivity: current landscape and future opportunities


Over the past year, the London market has been served by two low-cost carriers—Wizz Air and Ryanair—operating flights to Sarajevo from two different London-area airports: London Luton and LondonStansted.

Ryanair launched its London Stansted–Sarajevo service on April 2, 2024, with three weekly flights, and has maintained this frequency consistently. The airline has seen strong demand, with load factors exceeding 90% in June, August, and September, and aircraft flying at full capacity in October 2024.

Wizz Air initially operated two weekly flights between London Luton and Sarajevo using Airbus A320 aircraft. From November 2023, the carrier increased its frequency to four weekly flights and upgraded to the larger Airbus A321neo, which has a capacity to accommodate 239 passengers. However, despite the apparent demand, Wizz Air reduced its frequency back to two weekly flights for the summer schedule. This reduction, especially during the high-travel summer period, appears counterintuitive given the performance data.

The contrast between Ryanair’s stable schedule and Wizz Air’s recent cutback raises concerns about Wizz Air’s long-term strategy in the London-Sarajevo market. With Ryanair showing consistent commitment and success, it risks capturing the entire market if Wizz Air does not maintain a competitive presence. There is clearly enough demand to justify at least two weekly flights by Wizz Air year-round. Scaling back to seasonal service could ultimately undermine their market position.

Meanwhile, Sarajevo International Airport is actively working to expand its airline portfolio. Discussions are underway with the International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. A direct link with British Airways from London Heathrow (LHR) would be a major milestone, offering Sarajevo passengers one-stop connections to global destinations via this key international hub. A three-weekly service from LHR to Sarajevo is both viable and strategically significant.

Additionally, Iberia is considered a strong candidate to launch Madrid-Sarajevo flights, initially as a seasonal service starting in summer 2026, with potential to evolve into a year-round route. Vueling would also be a welcome addition, with opportunities to serve destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, and Valencia at competitive low-cost fares.

The UK remains one of Europe’s largest aviation markets, and Sarajevo should aim to connect not only with London, but also with other major UK cities such as Manchester and Birmingham. Ryanair, with its expansive route network, could help facilitate these connections.

The continued development of Sarajevo’s connectivity to the UK and Western Europe is a critical step forward for the city’s growing tourism and business sectors. Ensuring competitive airline offerings, including full-service and low-cost options, will be key to achieving this goal.

Source: Zahid Krkić

Sunday, May 25, 2025

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina air traffic report for April 2025

During the month of April, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 256.754 passengers going through its four international airports. Sarajevo Airport recorded 185.911 passengers  followed by Banja Luka with 46.269, Tuzla 21.827, and Mostar with 2.747 passengers. When compared to April of 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 38% passengers increase. Year to date, the country has recorded 747.091 passengers representing a 40% increase when compared to the same time of the last year, making Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the best performing markets in Europe. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina





Sarajevo (SJJ)



Tuzla (TZL)




Banja Luka (BNX)



Mostar (OMO)



Source: Zahid Krkić and BHDCA

Saturday, May 10, 2025

✈ Record April for Sarajevo Airport


Another record-breaking month for Sarajevo International Airport, 185.911 passengers used the airport during the last month, representing an increase of 39% when compared to April of 2024. or 53.079 increase in passengers handled. The number of aircraft operations grew by 24%, while cargo increased by 6%. Year to date airport recorded 519.713 passengers, representing an increase of 150.399 passengers or 41%.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina government grants visa-free entry to citizens of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman during summer season

The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has announced that citizens of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman will enjoy visa-free entry during the upcoming summer season. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina approved this decision, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and confirmed by Minister Elmedin Dino Konaković. Travelers from these Gulf nations will not need a visa to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina from June 1. to September 30.2025.

In response to the visa waiver, Flyadeal Airlines revealed that it will be adding a new route from Gassim, Saudi Arabia, to Sarajevo, marking its third destination from Saudi Arabia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, following Jeddah and Riyadh. The new flights will start on June 21.2025. operating twice weekly (on Thursdays and Saturdays) until August 16.2025. Flyadeal will offer a total of 34 round-trip flights from Gassim to Sarajevo, providing 6.324 seats. With flights already running from Jeddah and Riyadh, the airline will operate 244 flights in total from three Saudi airports, offering 45.384 seats.

Meanwhile, Salam Air will resume its twice-weekly flights from Muscat, Oman, to Sarajevo. The service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 2.2025. to August 30.2025. with an Airbus A321neo aircraft. Salam Air is scheduled to operate 36 flights in both directions, providing 7.632 seats.

Additionally, Arkia Airlines, following the success of its charter program last year, will resume regular charter flights from Tel Aviv to Sarajevo. Starting on June 7.2025. flights will operate once weekly on Saturdays until September 27.2025. During July and August, Arkia will increase frequency to double daily flights on Saturdays. A total of 52 flights are planned, offering nearly 10.000 seats.

With the addition of new routes for the summer timetable (April-October), Sarajevo Airport will be served by 27 airlines, providing access to 41 destinations across 3 continents, with a total of 2.072.817 available seats on 12.380 flights.



Source: Zahid Krkić