✈Bosnia and Herzegovina-Sweden air traffic report

Stockholm Arlanda Airport - Photo by Wikipedia user Brorsson

Sweden is a key market for air travel to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2022, the highest passenger volume between the two countries was recorded, with a total of 182,212 travelers, representing 8.26% of all passengers to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the consolidation of airlines and the increasing costs of airport operations have led to the discontinuation of several routes, including direct flights from Swedish airports to airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sweden route map

Following Sweden's reduction of its air passenger tax, several routes have resumed service, including the Tuzla-Malmo route, resumed December 13. 2025, and the Tuzla-Gothenburg route, slated to resume in March 2026, both operated by Wizz Air. Additionally, during last year’s expansion from Sarajevo, Ryanair introduced new flights to Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Preliminary airlines schedules for 2026 indicate the highest-ever number of available seats, suggesting a significant increase in passenger traffic between the two countries. Projected number of passengers between two countries will reach 200.000.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Ryanair to reduce Banja Luka operations

Ryanair aircraft at Banja Luka Airport - Photo by David Segic

Ryanair has released its flight schedule for the summer of 2026 (April to October), revealing a significant reduction in operations at Banja Luka Airport. The airline plans to cut its route offerings from the city by 40%. The most substantial reduction will be on the Memmingen route, where weekly flights will drop from 10 to 5. Other notable cuts include the Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden route, which will decrease from 4 weekly flights to 2, Vienna from 5 to 2, and Stockholm from 3 to 2.

In the summer timetable of 2025, Ryanair operated a total of 56 weekly round-trip flights from Banja Luka, while for the summer of 2026, this figure will drop to just 34 weekly round trips. Although the exact reasons for this reduction are unclear, it is widely speculated that Ryanair is shifting its focus toward more profitable markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly at Sarajevo Airport. With Wizz Air establishing a base at Tuzla Airport and Ryanair focusing its efforts on Sarajevo, the future prospects for Banja Luka Airport appear uncertain.

Financially, Banja Luka Airport is facing serious challenges. It has taken out a loan of 6 million Bosnian Marks (approximately 3 million Euros) to cover outstanding debts: 5,4 million Bosnian Marks owed to the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska and 600.000 Bosnian Marks in overdue obligations to suppliers.

To recap, the airport previously secured a loan of 7 million Bosnian Marks from the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska in mid-2016, which had a 48-month grace period. With that period now expired, the airport has requested an extension for repayment. The funds were initially used to address operational expenses and resolve ongoing issues, enabling the airport to retain its operating license.

In the past two years, management has repeatedly warned that the airport would struggle to meet its financial obligations on time. Despite this, the airport's director, Valentina Kecman, recently claimed that Banja Luka Airport is on track to achieve a record number of passengers in 2024, surpassing the 460.000 passengers recorded in 2023, effectively downplaying the serious financial challenges facing the airport.

For the first half of 2025, Banja Luka Airport reported a loss of 600.000 Bosnian Marks. In the past, the airport has come dangerously close to losing its international operating license due to mismanagement and mounting financial difficulties.

The Government of Republika Srpska, which owns Banja Luka Airport, has shown little interest in addressing its current and future viability. The airport urgently requires professional management to develop and implement a sustainable master plan, with collaboration from all levels of government. Without significant investment from its owner, Banja Luka Airport is at risk of bankruptcy. Public-private partnerships should be considered as a potential solution to safeguard the airport’s future.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Banjaluka Airport winter 2025/2026

The 2025/26 winter timetable will begin on Sunday, October 26, 2025, and run through March 28, 2026. During this period, passengers will be able to fly to 8 destinations across 5 countries, operated by 3 airlines. A total of 1.052 commercial flights are scheduled, offering 194.628 seats from November to March. Ryanair will operate the majority of flights to and from Banjaluka, serving five destinations in three countries. The airline has scheduled 684 round-trip flights, providing 129.276 seats.

During the November-March period, Ryanair will hold a 66% share of flights at Banjaluka Airport, followed by Wizz Air with 30%, and Air Serbia with just 3%. With Wizz Air establishing a base at Tuzla Airport and Ryanair expanding its operations in Sarajevo, Banjaluka Airport faces increasing competition for new routes and retaining its current ones.

To stay competitive, Banjaluka Airport management should focus on developing new markets not already served from Tuzla or Sarajevo. Many of these routes could work as summer seasonal, including:

• Athens (ATH) – Greece (Sky Express)
• Alicante (ALC) – Spain (Wizz Air)
• Bodrum (BJV) – Türkiye (SunExpress Airlines)
• Eindhoven (EIN) – Netherlands (Ryanair or Wizz Air)
• Tivat (TIV) – Montenegro (Air Montenegro)
• Nuremberg (NUE) – Germany (Ryanair or Wizz Air)
• Naples (NAP) – Italy (Ryanair, Wizz Air, or EasyJet)
• Salzburg (SZG) – Austria (Eurowings)

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Banja Luka Airport Summer Timetable 2025

Banja Luka Airport is set to experience an increase in both flights and seat capacity, as Ryanair expands its services to include more flights from Gothenburg and Stockholm. Meanwhile, Wizz Air will ramp up its operations from Basel, offering flights six times a week (daily except Saturdays) for most of the summer season.

Air Serbia, which had initially planned to increase its flights from Belgrade to three weekly services, has now canceled this plan. Instead of offering daily flights Air Serbia will reduce its services from three to just two weekly flights. Given Air Serbia’s lack of interest in developing the Belgrade-Banja Luka route, the airport may want to consider offering subsidies to a European legacy carrier to establish at least one direct connection to a major hub. This would provide convenient one-stop access to wide range of global destinations.

Austrian Airlines, with its five weekly flights to Vienna, or Turkish Airlines, with three to five weekly flights to Istanbul, would be ideal candidates to serve such a route.

Additionally, the following airlines will not be returning to Banja Luka this summer:

• Air Cairo, Hurghada 
• Nouvelair, Monastir
• Tailwind, Antalya

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈ Ryanair, increases Banja Luka flight operations by 28%

Ryanair has made an update to its summer timetable 2025 for flights to/from Banja Luka, significantly increasing number of flights when compared to the same time of the last year. The airline is adding an additional 322 flights across its six routes its serves from Banja Luka International Airport, representing an increase of 28,4%. The number of seats on offer will increase by 60.858 seats, representing an increase of 28,4%. The largest increase in flights and seats offered will be to Gothenburg and Karlsruhe/ Baden Baden.  During  April-September of next year Ryanair will further strengthen its position as leading airline at Banja Luka International Airport. Ryanair flight schedule is subject to minor changes and will be finalized during the month of January of 2025. 

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Banja Luka International Airport Summer Timetable 2024

Banja Luka Airport - Photo by David Segic

During Summer Timetable 2024 Banja Luka International Airport will see a significant drop in flights and seats offered when compared to the year before. For the same months of last year Banja Luka Airport had 535.350 seats on offer, while this year is 300.528 seats, representing a decrease of 44%. The number of flights last year stood at 2.886, while this year is 1,734, representing a decrease of 40%. Discontinued destinations this summer are: Tivat (Air Montenegro), Bergamo (Ryanair), Berlin (Ryanair), Nuremberg (Ryanair), Hamburg (Wizz Air), Malmo (Wizz Air). One new destination in Germany is being introduced, Karlsruhe Baden-Baden, will be operated by Ryanair twice weekly.

Banja Luka Airport - Route Map Summer 2024

Germany is market with the most flights and seats on offer, representing almost half of the airport business, followed by Sweden and Austria. Banja Luka Airport management needs to work with local government to offer subsidies to any LLC to offer low-cost flights to Malmo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Eindhoven, Istanbul and Athens. Air Serbia should either increase its service to Belgrade to daily to enable connections to its network or discontinue its service altogether.  After so many years of operations to Banja Luka two weekly flights are laughable. In order for Banja Luka to be sustainable as a LLC airport, number of passengers should be around 800.000 to cover basic needs of airport operations. Next to Germany, Türkiye should be on airports radar with flights to Istanbul, preferably Turkish Airlines with 5 weekly flights during summer and 3 weekly during winter months. Pegasus Airlines could work as well, since they offer many connections via their hub at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport. SunExpress would be ideal with two weekly flights to Antalya. With airport struggling financially, the management of the airport should be proactive on finding solutions, before government decides to sell it to cover holes in 2024 budget.

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Banja Luka Airport to close for runway overhaul

Banja Luka Airport will be closed for 30 days from January 15 in order to overhaul its  runway and taxiways A and B. The airport management has decided for closure during this time, when all airlines operating flights to and from Banja Luka have canceled the majority of the flights until the end of February. Runway repair is needed after the last audit by Bosnia and Herzegovina Department of Civil Aviation suggesting repair is needed to continue safe operations. BHDCA was given a period of 12 months to Banja Luka Airport to fix the issue in order  for BHDCA to renew Banja Luka Airport operation certificate. During the closure, airport will perform minor upgrades to terminal building as well. 

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ 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

✈ Wizz Air announces new destination from Banja Luka

Wizz Air has announced its sixth route from Banja Luka. The carrier will introduce flights from Banja Luka to Hamburg beginning December 17, 2021. Flights will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays with Airbus 320 aircraft

✈ Air Montenegro to launch Tivat-Banja Luka flights

 

New national air carrier of Montenegro, Air Montenegro, will introduce two weekly flights from Tivat to Banja Luka from June 27. Flights are scheduled to operate until September 05, 2021. with an Embrear 195 aircraft, offering 116 seats. The total of 21 round trip flights are scheduled offering 2.436 seats in each direction.

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ WIZZ AIR ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW ROUTES FROM BANJA LUKA

 

Excellent news from Banja Luka today! Wizz Air will start flights to the  second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with five new routes from June. Basel, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Malmo, and Stockholm-Skavsta will be served with two weekly flights each. With addition of five new routes by  Wizz Air, this summer Banja Luka Airport will be connected with 13 destinations with 26 weekly flight departures by Air Serbia, Ryanair and Wizz Air. In the time of global pandemic this is very promising for the future of the airport development.

Wizz Air Banja Luka Airport flight schedule

Source: Flying Bosnian and Wizz Air

✈ Ryanair plans to resume Banja Luka flights in May

Ryanair has resumed the sales of air tickets for flights to/from Banja Luka to European cities. According to the information available at the moment, if everything goes according to the plan without any lockdowns, Ryanair flights to/from Banja Luka will restart first week of the month May.

After a long break, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, tickets can be purchased again for flights from: Berlin, Brussels-Charleroi, Frankfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg, Memmingen and Vienna.

Resumption of flights to Banja Luka is scheduled as follows:

Currently, Air Serbia is the only airline operating flights to Banja Luka with just one weekly service from Belgrade onboard of 66 seater turboprop ATR-72 aircraft.

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ Ryanair suspends Banja Luka flights

Ryanair has suspended flights from Gothenburg to Banja Luka as of yesterday. Gothenburg was the only route operated by the airline from Banja Luka. Ryanair plans to resume flights during summer timetable even though the date has not been set yet.

Ryanair planned to operate seven routes to five countries with beginning of summer timetable from March of 2021, but due to ongoing pandemic and uncertainty over the air travel restriction and border crossings this is to be determined as we approach the month of April. The flight booking on airline’s website is not available for Brussels Charleroi, Gothenburg and Milan Bergamo.

Ryanair planed network from Banja Luka from March 2021

Source: Flying Bosnian 

✈Banja Luka Airport Winter 2020-21

 

Banja Luka International Airport terminal building and control tower

➤With the beginning of Winter timetable on Sunday October 25, Banja Luka Airport will see major flight reductions when compared to the same time of the last year. Air Serbia will operate two weekly flights from Belgrade while Ryanair will scale back its operations to Banja Luka from last year’s 5 destinations to only one this coming winter season. 

➤Single destination Ryanair plans to operate to Banja Luka during upcoming winter timetable is new two weekly service from Gothenburg, beginning October 25.2020. 

➤Ryanair will delay the launch of new flights from Vienna to Banja Luka until March 29, while its planned new route from Milan-Bergamo has been cancelled altogether.

➤Ryanair is pushing back the resumption of most of its flights to Banja Luka until spring of 2021.

➤Following routes are suspended until Summer timetable 2021. (changes to the schedules are likely possible due to uncertainty with coronavirus pandemic and borders opening and closing on short notice).

Ryanair Banja Luka flight resumption schedule

ROUTE	RESUMPTION DATE	DAYS (flights operate)
1) Berlin Brandenburg - Banja Luka	28.03.2021.	--3---7
2) Brussels Charleroi - Banja Luka	Not published yet	-------
3) Frankfurt Hahn- Banja Luka	29.03.2021.	1---5--
4) Memmingen – Banja Luka	30.03.2021.	-2---6-
5) Milan Bergamo – Banja Luka	CANCELLED	CANCELLED
6) Stockholm Skavsta – Banja Luka	CANCELLED	CANCELLED
7) Vienna – Banja Luka	29.03.2021	1---5--

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Source: Flying Bosnian