✈Bosnia and Herzegovina -Sweden air traffic report for 2023.

Before Wizz Air discontinued routes between Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden was one of the largest air travel markets from Bosnia and Herzegovina. At one-point Banjaluka, Tuzla and Sarajevo were all connected to major airports in Sweden. The year 2022/2023 has seen major cuts for Bosnia-Sweden routes. During 2022/2023 Wizz Air closed its bases at Tuzla and Sarajevo Airports resulting in cancelations of all Wizz Air flights from Bosnian airports to Sweden. Record year was 2022 when 182.212 passengers traveled between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden, while 2023 that number has slipped away to 145.094 passengers. 

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Banja Luka Airport – photo update

Banja Luka Airport terminal building and control tower

Photos from Banja Luka International Airport, taken by Mirza SM, on Wizz Air flight Malmo-Banja Luka (December 24, 2021). The flight was operated by Wizz Air Hungary, Airbus 321, registration HA-LXS. The flight was 95% full, with 225 passengers on board.

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ Sarajevo Airport weekly schedule for August 15-21

✈ Sarajevo International Airport – photo tour

✈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

✈Tuzla Airport introduces rapid Covid testing

Tuzla Airport terminal building 

From Friday - January 29, 2021, a "Rapid Covid-19 test center" will be established at Tuzla International Airport, ready for rapid antigen testing of passengers on Covid-19. More information on availability, reservations and other details can be obtained by calling the phone number: 00 387 35 416 601 (available on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:30).

Source: Tuzla International Airport

✈Qatar abolishes visas for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to travel to Qatar visa free for 90 days. Visa free travel was agreed at meeting between Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektic and Prime Minister of Qatar Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani held in Doha. Citizens of the State of Qatar are exempted from the visa requirements when entering, exiting or traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 90 days.

Holders of  Bosnia and Herzegovina passport can travel without a visa to 117 countries. Bosnian passport is ranked 49th on the list of the most powerful passports in the world. Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the six countries that advanced the most on the list of the most  powerful passports. In the last 10 years Bosnian passport has moved from 72^nd to 49^th place.

Bosnian Ambassador to Qatar Bisera Turkovic  said in recent interview “with visa free travel between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar, Qatar Airways will most likely increase Doha-Sarajevo flights to daily at the beginning of summer schedule in April of next year”. Last summer during peak travel season Qatar Airways operated flights to Sarajevo with wide-body aircraft, an Airbus 330-200.

Qatar Airways Airbus 330 at Sarajevo Airport

Source: Flying Bosnian