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Sunday, May 10, 2026

✈ Eurowings has inaugurated Berlin-Sarajevo flights

Eurowings Relaunched Berlin–Sarajevo Flights for Summer 2026 Enhancing Connectivity and Tourism Between Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Eurowings is bringing back its direct flights between Berlin and Sarajevo for summer 2026 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, airline inaugurated its first flight from Berlin. The flights will run until October 24, with an increase in frequency during peak summer months (July and August) to twice per week. This route is expected to have a significant impact on the growing travel and tourism sector between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Boosting Sarajevo’s Appeal to Berlin Travelers Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s vibrant capital, is known for its historical and cultural richness, making it an increasingly sought-after destination for European tourists. The city blends Ottoman heritage with Austro-Hungarian influences and is a center for cultural tourism in Southeastern Europe. Famous landmarks such as the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Baščaršija Square, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum draw visitors keen on history and culture. For travelers from Berlin, this direct flight offers a convenient way to access Sarajevo’s stunning old town, lush surroundings, and diverse cultural life. Sarajevo’s cultural significance, along with its picturesque landscapes and historical sites, has led to increased interest from European visitors. This revitalized flight will make it even easier for tourists to enjoy these unique offerings, especially those looking for an alternative to more mainstream European destinations.

Strengthening Ties with the Bosnian Diaspora

One of the key beneficiaries of this revived route will be the Bosnian diaspora living in Germany, many of whom reside in Berlin. The flight will enhance the ability for Bosnians living in Germany to visit family back home, reinforcing personal and cultural connections between the two countries. This also aligns with Eurowings’ broader mission to support regional connections and foster a sense of unity and accessibility for travelers from the Balkans and Europe.



Eurowings’ Expanding Summer 2026 Schedule

The Berlin-Sarajevo route is a part of Eurowings’ extensive summer 2026 schedule expansion. With its low-cost services, the airline continues to enhance its offerings, especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Sarajevo, along with other growing destinations in Southeastern Europe, has attracted more tourists due to its combination of rich culture, natural beauty, and affordability, making it an ideal addition to the airline’s summer network. Eurowings is further solidifying Berlin’s position as a central for Central Europeans traveling to the Balkans, promoting easier access to new and emerging tourism destinations. With the growing demand for travel to  the airline’s reintroduced flights will provide seamless connections, contributing to the continued growth of tourism in both regions.



Benefits to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tourist industry

The return of direct flights between Berlin and Sarajevo also comes with significant tourism benefits for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo, with its proximity to natural wonders like Vrelo Bosne and the Olympic mountains, attracts visitors keen to experience both urban culture and outdoor activities. The Sarajevo Film Festival, an event that draws international crowds every year, along with the city’s thriving food scene, will also gain increased international visibility with the convenience of direct flights. This route offers Bosnia and Herzegovina an opportunity to increase international visitor numbers, encouraging economic growth through tourism and fostering greater investment in local businesses. With the return of these flights, Sarajevo will be better connected to major European markets, facilitating increased tourism and strengthening Bosnia’s position as a travel destination.

Fostering Sustainable Tourism and Economic Growth

The relaunch of the Berlin-Sarajevo route underscores Eurowings’ commitment to supporting the sustainability of European tourism. With an increasing demand for access to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the airline’s reintroduced connection will help drive tourism and economic development in the region.

The route plays a role in reconnecting Germany with the Balkans and supporting the growing demand for regional travel. It is expected to foster long-term benefits, including new economic opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as providing a reliable and efficient travel option for visitors.

A Major Step in Regional Connectivity

The relaunch of Eurowings’ Berlin-Sarajevo flights for the summer of 2026 is a pivotal moment in strengthening travel links between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This direct connection will not only enhance tourism to Sarajevo, one of South-Eastern Europe’s most fascinating cities, but also serve as a vital link for the Bosnian diaspora in Germany. As more visitors explore Sarajevo’s unique offerings, Eurowings continues to play an essential role in boosting access to both the cultural and natural treasures of Bosnia and Herzegovina, further integrating the region into the European travel network.

Source: Zahid Krkić



Tuesday, May 5, 2026

✈ Sarajevo Airport passenger decline in April amid Gulf flight cancellations

Sarajevo International Airport recorded a decline in passenger traffic in April 2026, as operational disruptions and temporary capacity reductions offset earlier strong growth in the year. The airport handled 177.186 passengers in April 2026, a 4,7% decrease compared to April 2025 (when 185.911 passengers were handled ). The drop in passengers comes due to cancellation of several flights from Gulf destinations, which typically contribute high load factors and strong inbound demand.

In addition, several European routes saw reduced frequencies including services by Croatia Airlines from Zagreb, Eurowings from Cologne, Scandinavian Airlines from Copenhagen, and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul. These cuts were linked to fuel supply constraints impacting airline operations, resulting in reduced seat availability throughout April and contributing to the overall decline in passenger traffic.

Aircraft movements still increased by 1.6%, rising to 1.606 operations compared to 1.581 in April last year. Cargo volumes remained stable at 303,2 tons, unchanged from April 2025

Despite the April dip, Sarajevo Airport continues to show overall growth in 2026, with passenger traffic up approximately 5% year-to-date. 

With the summer peak travel months approaching, the restoration of Gulf connectivity and normalization of European frequencies will be critical. If these disruptions are resolved, Sarajevo is well positioned to return to growth trajectory in the coming months.

Source: Sarajevo Airport and Zahid Krkić


Monday, May 4, 2026

✈ Ryanair in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Summer 2026)

Ryanair airplane at Sarajevo Airport, photo by Zahid Krkić

This summer, Ryanair will offer a record number of flights and seats from Sarajevo, while significantly reducing operations from Banja Luka. Under the summer timetable, Ryanair will operate a total of 1.750 round-trip flights from Sarajevo, reflecting a 5,2% increase compared to last year, or an additional 88 flights. The total number of available seats from/to Sarajevo will reach 330.750, marking an increase of 16.632 seats.

Ryanair Sarajevo Summer 2026 - Route map


Banja Luka will experience a substantial reduction in Ryanair flights compared to the previous year. For the upcoming summer season, Ryanair has scheduled only 1.004 round-trip flights from Banja Luka, representing a 32% decline, or 470 fewer flights. The total number of available seats from/to Banja Luka will amount to 189.756, a decrease of 88.830 seats.


Ryanair Banja Luka Summer 2026 - Route map 



Overall, Ryanair will operate a total of 2.754 flights from/to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represents a 12,2% decline, or 382 fewer flights. The total number of available seats from/to Bosnia and Herzegovina will be 520.506, reflecting a reduction of 72.198 seats.

In terms of its European network, Sarajevo Airport’s potential remains significantly underutilized, presenting an opportunity for Ryanair to introduce up to ten new routes from the city, in the near future. In contrast, Banja Luka is likely to experience further reductions in flight operations, as Wizz Air continues its rapid expansion in Tuzla, while Ryanair concentrates its efforts on more profitable routes from Sarajevo.

Source: Zahid Krkić



Sunday, May 3, 2026

✈ 1Q data for Sarajevo - Girona flights

Ryanair recently marked the first anniversary of its flights between Sarajevo and Girona. During the first quarter of 2026, the Sarajevo–Girona route recorded 7.895 passengers across 52 flights, achieving an average load factor of 80%, or approximately 152 passengers per flight.

The airline commenced its scheduled service between Girona Airport (GRO) and Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) on April 2, 2025. Operated twice weekly with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the route demonstrated strong performance during its inaugural year (from April 2 to December 31, 2025), transporting 28.171 passengers and recording an average load factor of 84%.

Source: Zahid Krkić


✈Bosnia visa-free entry for citizens of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally approved visa-free entry for citizens of Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia for the upcoming summer season. This temporary measure is intended to simplify travel arrangements and encourage visitors to experience Bosnia and Herzegovina during its peak tourism period.

Key Details of the Decision:

Validity Period: June 1 to September 30, 2026.

Permitted Stay: Up to 30 days

Objective: To promote tourism and strengthen bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the participating countries.

The introduction of visa-free travel is also expected to benefit the aviation sector, with several airlines planning or already scheduling flights from these markets to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Scheduled flights from : Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia

In the past, Gulf Air operated scheduled charter flights between Bahrain and Sarajevo. These flights, running once or twice weekly, were arranged on behalf of tour operators in Bahrain offering vacation packages to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Source: Zahid Krkić



Friday, May 1, 2026

✈ Sarajevo Airport Summer Timetable 2026

Sarajevo International Airport had been on track to achieve record-breaking flight frequencies and seat capacity for the 2026 summer season. However, escalating geopolitical tensions namely the military actions by the United States and Israel targeting Iran and Lebanon, followed by Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have led to widespread airspace closures and significant flight disruptions.

Prior to these developments, Sarajevo Airport was projected to offer its highest-ever capacity, with approximately 2,2 million seats scheduled between April and November 2026.

As a result of the ongoing conflict and associated fuel shortages, several airlines have either suspended or reduced their operations to Sarajevo:


Qatar Airways has fully canceled its seasonal summer service between Doha and Sarajevo, eliminating a key connection through its Doha hub and resulting in a loss of approximately 22.000 seats.

Jazeera Airways had planned to commence daily flights between Kuwait City and Sarajevo starting April 1,  however, due to military activity in the region, operations have been suspended until May 15, affecting nearly 15.000 seats scheduled during this period.

Flydubai has reduced its Dubai–Sarajevo service from four to five weekly flights down to two, decreasing capacity by around 4.000 seats.

Flynas has scaled back its services from both Jeddah and Riyadh through May 15, cutting approximately 5.000 seats.

Salam Air will end its Muscat–Sarajevo route two weeks earlier than planned, reducing capacity by 2,500 seats.

Additionally, Turkish Airlines will reduce its Sarajevo operations between July and October as follows: departures will decrease from 93 to 80 in July, 93 to 77 in August, 90 to 77 in September, and 89 to 62 in October. Overall, scheduled departures for this period will drop from 367 to 296 flights, resulting in a loss of approximately 23,460 seats.

Despite these disruptions, Sarajevo Airport is still expected to offer slightly over 2 million seats during the summer schedule. With reduced capacity and sustained demand, many remaining flights are operating at or near full capacity, pushing load factors to record highs. Consequently, the airport may still approach last year’s passenger figures.

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During the summer timetable, Sarajevo Airport will be served by 26 airlines, connecting it to 23 countries across 40 routes.

NEW ROUTES THIS SUMMER:

Source: Zahid Krkić