✈Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to increase Sarajevo flights

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to strengthen its presence in the Bosnia and Herzegovina by increasing the number of flights between Copenhagen and Sarajevo during the peak summer travel period. Throughout the month of August, the airline will operate four weekly flights on the route, responding to strong seasonal demand and growing passenger interest between Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The additional services represent a notable capacity increase compared to last year. During the 2026 summer season, SAS will operate a total of 128 flights between the Danish and Bosnian capitals, up from 104 flights operated in the previous year. This expansion underlines the airline’s confidence in the route, which traditionally benefits from a mix of leisure travelers, diaspora traffic, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) demand during the summer months.

Copenhagen–Sarajevo has become an increasingly competitive market, with SAS facing direct competition from Norwegian Air. Norwegian currently operates two weekly flights on the route, offering travelers an alternative low-cost option. By increasing frequencies in August, SAS is aiming to maintain a strong market position and provide passengers with greater flexibility in travel dates and connections via its Copenhagen hub.

With the added August frequencies, SAS continues to signal its commitment to the Copenhagen–Sarajevo route, while intensifying competition with Norwegian Air during the busiest part of the summer season. The increased capacity is expected to support tourism flows and strengthen ties between Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Tuzla Airport anticipate to handle 800.000 passengers

Tuzla International Airport is positioning itself for a record-breaking year in both flight operations and passenger numbers. The establishment of a Wizz Air base at the airport, featuring two Airbus A321neo aircraft configured with high-density seating (239 seats), puts Tuzla on track to surpass all previous performance records. For 2026, Tuzla Airport has 1.030.752 seats on offer, and my analysis projects approximately 800,000 passengers by year-end.

Wizz Air has published its 2026 operating schedule, comprising a total of 4.056 flights and offering 969.384 seats. The airline will operate 14 routes from Tuzla, of which two, Gothenburg (GOT) in Sweden and Larnaca (LCA) in Cyprus, will be seasonal summer services. In addition to Wizz Air, Tuzla International Airport will continue to benefit from year-round connectivity to Istanbul (SAW) through services operated by A Jet and Pegasus Airlines. 

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Further strengthening the airport’s network, Chair Airlines will introduce seasonal flights between Zurich and Tuzla, operating from June through October, with the possibility of extending services into the winter season subject to market demand. Charter operations will also play a significant role, with Air Cairo and Nile Air providing regular charter services to Hurghada (HRG) in Egypt, while Corendon Airlines and Free Bird Airlines will operate charter flights to Antalya (AYT) in Turkiye.

With an expanding portfolio of scheduled and charter services, Tuzla International Airport is reinforcing its role as a key regional low-cost airport, serving passengers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as parts of neighboring Croatia and Serbia.

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Tuzla Airport- route network map

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Tuzla Airport-scheduled seat/flight capacity by country

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Tuzla Airport-scheduled seat capacity by destination

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina historic passenger growth in 2025!

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s four international airports handled a record 3.121.858 passengers in 2025, representing a 26% increase compared to the previous year, or 645.720 additional travelers.

Sarajevo and Banja Luka airports both achieved their highest passenger numbers on record. Sarajevo Airport accounted for the majority of traffic, handling 71,3% of all passengers, followed by Banja Luka Airport with 16,5%. Tuzla Airport captured 10,8% of total passenger traffic, while Mostar Airport accounted for 2,3%.

Aircraft movements also increased significantly during the year. A total of 28.095 aircraft operations were recorded, representing an 18,2% year-on-year increase, or 4.326 additional movements. Cargo traffic reached 3.343,6 tones, marking a 4,5% increase compared to 2024.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo (SJJ)
Tuzla (TZL)
Banja Luka (BNX)
Mostar (OMO)	\

Bosnia and Herzegovina passenger air traffic history 

Source: Zahid Krkić and BHDCA

✈Wizz Air has over 1,2 million seats in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Between January and October 2026, Wizz Air stands as the leading airline in Bosnia and Herzegovina in both flight frequency and seat capacity. The carrier is scheduled to operate 4.418 flights, offering a record 1.055.902 seats for sale during this period. Tuzla Airport serves as the cornerstone of Wizz Air’s operations in the country, followed by Banja Luka and Sarajevo.

Wizz Air’s position as the country’s largest airline follows the establishment of a one-aircraft base in Tuzla in December 2025, which will expanded to two aircraft base by March 2026.

Ryanair ranks second, having relinquished its leading position due to a substantial reduction in services from Banja Luka and limited growth in Sarajevo. However, competitive dynamics could shift in Ryanair’s favor should the airline expand its route network and/or establish a base at Sarajevo Airport.

• Wizz Air (Jan–Oct 2026):

o Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.418 flights (1.055.902 seats)

o Tuzla: 3.300 flights (788.700 seats) 

o Banja Luka: 726 flights (173.514 seats)

o Sarajevo: 392 flights (93.688 seats)

o Wizz Air is the largest airline in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2026.

o Growth driven by Tuzla base (opened Dec 2025; expanded to two aircraft in Mar 2026)

• Ryanair (Wizz Air’s largest competitor):

o Second-largest carrier in Bosnia and Herzegovina

o Summer timetable 2026, 40% reduction in flights from Banja Luka

o Summer timetable 2026, 5% growth in flights from Sarajevo

o Potential for rapid growth with new routes or aircraft base in Sarajevo

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Successful first year of Girona–Sarajevo route!

Ryanair launched its Girona (GRO)–Sarajevo (SJJ) service on 2nd of April 2025, operating two weekly flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The route marked the first-ever scheduled air connection between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During its first year of operation, the service delivered strong results, carrying a total of 28.171 passengers and achieving an average load factor of 84%, underlining solid demand and commercial viability.

Despite Girona being a relatively small city located in close proximity to Barcelona, the route’s strong performance clearly highlights the extent to which the Spain–Bosnia and Herzegovina air travel market remains underserved. The results indicate substantial untapped potential, suggesting that major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia could comfortably support at least two weekly direct flights to Sarajevo.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Sarajevo International Airport achieves record breaking year in 2025!

Sarajevo Airport, photo by Damir Džubur sa_spotter

Sarajevo International Airport has reached a significant achievement, marking a milestone in its growth and development. Over the past year, the airport welcomed a record breaking 2.226.692 passengers, an impressive figure that showcases a 22% year over year increase. This surge in traffic represents an additional 404.930 travelers compared to the previous year, underscoring the airport's continued upward trajectory and growing. This achievement not only highlights the airport's expanding capacity but also reflects the increasing demand for air travel in and out of Sarajevo.

According to the most recent ACI EUROPE Airport Traffic Report, Sarajevo International Airport has been recognized as one of the fastest growing airports in Europe within its category in 2025. This recognition serves as a testament to the airport's ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure, improve services, and adapt to the ever changing demands of the aviation industry. 

My own analysis of air travel trends throughout the year further confirms this growth. At the start of 2025, based on previous patterns and the rising demand for air travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I projected that Sarajevo Airport would reach the 2,2 million passenger mark by year-end. With the actual figures now in, this prediction has come to fruition. The airport's success is not just a result of organic growth but also strategic efforts to attract more airlines and increase the variety of destinations available to passengers.

The table below is detailing my monthly passenger traffic projections for the past year, which reflect the airport's steady growth and performance throughout 2025. These projections were based on a combination of factors, including seasonal trends, new route launches, and the ongoing efforts by the airport and  Sarajevo Tourist Board (VISITSARAJEVO.BA) by providing incentives for the airlines to open new routes and by promotions of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina as desired tourist destination. 

Looking ahead to 2026, Sarajevo International Airport is set to continue this remarkable growth trend, with plans for another record breaking year. Several new routes have already been announced, promising to further boost passenger traffic and enhance connectivity. Airlines like Ajet are introducing new flights to Ankara and Bodrum, while Eurowings will be launching a route to Berlin. Additionally, Nile Air is set to offer direct charter flights to Hurghada, and Transavia will be connecting Sarajevo with Paris.

With these developments, Sarajevo International Airport is well-positioned for continued success in the coming years. The growth in passenger numbers is a clear indicator of the airport's rising significance, and the continued introduction of new routes ensures that 2026 is set to be another record  year for the airport.

Source: Zahid Krkić