✈ Sarajevo-Istanbul Air Traffic Report for 2024

In 2024, Istanbul remained the leading destination from Sarajevo in both flight frequency and passenger volume. During the summer season, Turkish Airlines operated three daily flights between Sarajevo and Istanbul New Airport, while the winter schedule featured two daily services.

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport was also well connected, offering three daily flights to Sarajevo—two operated by Pegasus Airlines and one by A Jet, the low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.

In total, Sarajevo and Istanbul were linked by six daily flights across three carriers: A Jet, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, reaffirming the route’s consistently high demand.

The year also marked a major milestone, with a record 3.433 flights operated between the two cities and 562.799 passengers carried—an increase of 100.573 travelers, or 21,75%. Sarajevo Airport handled 1.821.762 passengers overall, with Istanbul accounting for 30,89% of all traffic.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ 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

✈ 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

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina air traffic report for 2024

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's four international airports handled a total of 2.476.138 passengers, reflecting a 2.07% increase compared to the previous year. Despite the closure of Wizz Air bases in Sarajevo and Tuzla, the airports were able to offset the loss in passenger traffic, particularly at Sarajevo Airport. This was achieved through the launch of new routes by Ryanair (six new routes), Sun Express Airlines (two new routes), and Scandinavian Airlines (Copenhagen), along with Wizz Air introducing flights to Rome. Additionally, there was an increase in frequencies on existing routes, primarily with airlines from the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait City, and Riyadh.

Mostar Airport introduced new flights by Sky Alps to Rome, Verona, Bari, and Munich, while Air Serbia launched three weekly flights between Belgrade and Mostar. 

Tuzla Airport welcomed new services to Istanbul by two airlines, Ajet and Pegasus Airlines, each offering one weekly flight. 

Banja Luka Airport introduced Ryanair flights from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, with two weekly services.

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina passenger air traffic history 

Source: Zahid Krkić and BHDCA

✈ Sarajevo Airport records over 1,8 million passengers in 2024

During last year Sarajevo Airport handled 1.821.762 passengers, representing an increase of 34%.The airport recorded 16.836 aircraft operations, representing an increase of 21%. Last year the airport handled 3.165 tons of cargo, representing an increase of  14%.

Last year Sarajevo Airport marked the arrival of Ryanair with six new routes, Scandinavian Airlines from Copenhagen, Aegean Airlines from Athens, SunExpress Airlines from Antalya and Izmir. Compared to the year before Sarajevo Airport added an additional 459.755 passengers. With announcement of new routes by Ryanair and increased frequencies by Eurowings, Lufthansa LOT Polish Airlines, Swiss Air Lines, Sarajevo Airport will break another record this year by handling over two million passengers.

Source: Zahid Krkić and Sarajevo Airport

✈Croatia Airlines Zagreb-Sarajevo route performance

Croatia Airlines handled 42.437 passengers on Zagreb-Sarajevo route during January-September of 2024, an increase of 8,91% or 3.474 passengers more compared to the same period of the last year.  For the same time period the number of flights decreased from 984 to 976, representing a decrease of 0,81% or 8 flights less. The average cabin load factor stood at 56,57% or 43 passengers per flight. Majority of passengers on this route are point to point passengers.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ London (all airports) - Sarajevo air traffic statistics data for 2024.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

London market is served by two airlines from Sarajevo Airport. Ryanair operates three weekly flights from London Stansted Airport, while Wizzair operates two weekly flights from London Luton Airport. As an answer to Ryanair introducing flights from London Stansted, Wizzair is increasing its service from London Luton to Sarajevo from two to four weekly flights. Beginning next month London-Sarajevo routes will be served seven times weekly (Wizzair 4x and Ryanair 3x). The seat capacity offered between two cities will increase to 3.046 round-trip seats on a weekly basis.

• During this year Wizzair has a total of 56.580 seats on offer between London Luton and Sarajevo.
• During this year Ryanair has a total of 44.226 seats on offer between London Luton and Sarajevo.
• During 2024, the total number of seats offered between London (LTN and STN) and Sarajevo is 100.806.
• During the first six months of the year, Wizzair transported 20.642 passengers on 120 flights with an average cabin load factor of 74,78%.

History of Wizzair Sarajevo-London (LTN) flights

• Wizz Air is increasing Sarajevo-London (LTN) flights from 02.11.2024. from two weekly flights to four weekly.
• Wizz Air restarted Sarajevo-London (LTN) flights on 25.09.2023. with A321 aircraft.
• Wizz Air suspended Sarajevo-London (LTN) flights from 24.03.2023 until 25.09.2023.
• Wizz Air started Sarajevo-London (LTN) flights on 29.03.2022. with two weekly flights with A320 aircraft.
• 

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Ryanair launched London Stansted-Sarajevo flights on 02.04.2024. operating flights three times a week, with Boeing 737-800 aircraft (capacity 189 seats). 

During the first four months of operations (April-August 2024) the airline transported 17.137 passengers on 104 flights with an average cabin load factor of 87,17%.

United Kingdom is one of the largest airline markets in Europe but until this year flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina were very minimal. With the arrival of Ryanair in Sarajevo this is finally changing. With Ryanair and Wizzair as LCC there is a market for third airline like easyJet and in near future Biritish Airways that would open great number of connections via its hub at London Heathrow Airport.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Record September for Sarajevo Airport

Sarajevo International Airport has recorded its busiest September by handling 188.040  passengers, representing an increase of 30,57% or 44.027 passengers more when compared to the same month of last year. Aircraft operations recorded an increase of 21%, while cargo decreased by 32% . Year to date Sarajevo Airport handled 1.439.181 passengers, an increase of 32,94%. During January-September of this year, on average Sarajevo Airport has been handling 5.271 passengers per day.

Yesterday (October 13, 2024) Sarajevo Airport recorded its 1.500.000 passenger, first ever during one year in 70 years of airport's history.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Ryanair London (STN) – Sarajevo statistic data for April 2024

During April of 2024, very first month of operations between London Stansted and Sarajevo, Ryanair operated a total of 26 flights (both ways), transporting 4.000 passengers with the average cabin load factor of 81,48% or 154 passengers per flight on average. The result represents a very successful launch of operation for both Ryanair and Sarajevo Airport. Ryanair operates three weekly flights between London Stansted and Sarajevo, while Wizz Air operates two weekly flights between London Luton and Sarajevo. From the beginning of winter timetable Wizz Air will increase London Luton – Sarajevo flights to four weekly.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina air traffic report for May 2024

Banja Luka International Airport - photo by David Segic

During the month of May, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 209.345 passengers going through its four international airports. Sarajevo Airport recorded 151.152 passengers  followed by Banja Luka with 40.408, Tuzla 13.023, and Mostar with 4.762 passengers. When compared to May of 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 9% passengers decrease. Year to date, the country has recorded 743.888 passengers representing a 15% decrease when compared to the same time of the last year.

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

Source: Zahid Krkić and BHDCA

✈Arkia Airlines to connect Tel Aviv and Sarajevo

Arkia Israeli Airlines has scheduled Sarajevo charter flights from Tel Aviv to Sarajevo beginning June 15^th, flights are scheduled to operate once weekly every Saturday until October 05, with Airbus 321 aircraft offering 220 seats. Charter flights  by Arkia will cater to Israeli tourist visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Arkia Airlines   Tel Aviv (TLV) – Sarajevo (SJJ)

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Record May for Sarajevo Airport

Sarajevo International Airport has recorded its busiest May by handling 151.152  passengers, representing an increase of 30,3% or 35.176 passengers more when compared to the same month of last year. Aircraft operations recorded an increase of 23%, while cargo grew by 10% . Year to date Sarajevo Airport handled 520.466 passengers, an increase of 30,1%. The month of June will see the introduction of new flights by Aegean Airlines from Athens, Scandinavian Airlines flights from Copenhagen and Air Arabia flights from Sharjah. From June 5^th to June 25^th Flynas will operate regular charter flights for Hajj from Medina.

Source: Zahid Krkić