✈ London-Sarajevo air connectivity: current landscape and future opportunities

Over the past year, the London market has been served by two low-cost carriers—Wizz Air and Ryanair—operating flights to Sarajevo from two different London-area airports: London Luton and LondonStansted.

Ryanair launched its London Stansted–Sarajevo service on April 2, 2024, with three weekly flights, and has maintained this frequency consistently. The airline has seen strong demand, with load factors exceeding 90% in June, August, and September, and aircraft flying at full capacity in October 2024.

Wizz Air initially operated two weekly flights between London Luton and Sarajevo using Airbus A320 aircraft. From November 2023, the carrier increased its frequency to four weekly flights and upgraded to the larger Airbus A321neo, which has a capacity to accommodate 239 passengers. However, despite the apparent demand, Wizz Air reduced its frequency back to two weekly flights for the summer schedule. This reduction, especially during the high-travel summer period, appears counterintuitive given the performance data.

The contrast between Ryanair’s stable schedule and Wizz Air’s recent cutback raises concerns about Wizz Air’s long-term strategy in the London-Sarajevo market. With Ryanair showing consistent commitment and success, it risks capturing the entire market if Wizz Air does not maintain a competitive presence. There is clearly enough demand to justify at least two weekly flights by Wizz Air year-round. Scaling back to seasonal service could ultimately undermine their market position.

Meanwhile, Sarajevo International Airport is actively working to expand its airline portfolio. Discussions are underway with the International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. A direct link with British Airways from London Heathrow (LHR) would be a major milestone, offering Sarajevo passengers one-stop connections to global destinations via this key international hub. A three-weekly service from LHR to Sarajevo is both viable and strategically significant.

Additionally, Iberia is considered a strong candidate to launch Madrid-Sarajevo flights, initially as a seasonal service starting in summer 2026, with potential to evolve into a year-round route. Vueling would also be a welcome addition, with opportunities to serve destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, and Valencia at competitive low-cost fares.

The UK remains one of Europe’s largest aviation markets, and Sarajevo should aim to connect not only with London, but also with other major UK cities such as Manchester and Birmingham. Ryanair, with its expansive route network, could help facilitate these connections.

The continued development of Sarajevo’s connectivity to the UK and Western Europe is a critical step forward for the city’s growing tourism and business sectors. Ensuring competitive airline offerings, including full-service and low-cost options, will be key to achieving this goal.

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.
• 

___________________________________________________________________________________

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

✈Ryanair, Sarajevo–London (STN) route statistics

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%.

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

✈Wizz Air to increase London – Sarajevo flights

With the beginning of winter flights schedule, Wizz Air is increasing London Luton – Sarajevo flights from current two weekly to four weekly. The flights are scheduled to operate on  Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays with an Airbus 321neo aircraft, offering 239 seats. From November 2024, London and Sarajevo will be connected with eight weekly flights, operated by Wizz Air, Ryanair, and TUI Airways.

London (LTN) - Sarajevo ✈ Wizz Air (1-3-5-7)

London (STN) - Sarajevo ✈ Ryanair (-2-4-6-)

London (LGW) - Sarajevo ✈ TUI Airways (------7)

Source: Zahid Krkić

✈Wizz Air announced a new route from Sarajevo to London

London Luton is new Wizz Air  route from its base in Sarajevo. Flights will operate twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday. The first flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Luton London Airport is scheduled for March 29, 2022, and tickets are already available for sale online at wizzair.com and the mobile application at a price of 38.99 KM / 17.99 GBP .

Paulina Gosk, Head of Corporate Communications at Wizz Air, said: “We are happy to announce the expansion of our flight network from Sarajevo by adding London as an attractive destination for tourist and business travel. Our crew will be happy to welcome you on flights in our modern aircraft.

From March of 2022 Wizz Air will operate 18 routes from Sarajevo.

Source: Flying Bosnian