Search Bosnia and Herzegovina aviation news

Monday, May 17, 2021

✈Vikend širokotrupaca na sarajevskom aerodromu

Preuzeto sa portala Echo Seven

                                                Boeing 767-200ER / Foto: sjj.aviation

Na sarajevski aerodrom su proteklog vikenda sletjela čak tri širokotrupna zrakoplova, a sve u sklopu vojne vježbe “Brzi odgovor” koja će se održati na teritoriju Bosne i Hercegovine u narednom periodu. Riječ je o avionima Boeing 767 i Boeing 777 američke kompanije Omni Air International, te zrakoplovu Boeing 747-400 aviokompanije Atlas Air.

Omni Air International Boeing 767-200ER

U petak navečer oko 20 sati po lokalnom vremenu na sarajevski aerodrom iz Grčke je sletio Boeing 767-200 registarskih oznaka N207AX, sa jednim dijelom pripadnika američke vojske. Polijetanje aviona bilo je zakazano sljedećeg dana u 10:15 sati po lokalnom vremenu.

Ovaj 19,8 godina star avion svoju karijeru započeo je u aviokompaniji Continental Airlines. Nakon nešto više od 10 godina službe avion se našao u bojama United Airlinesa, da bi 2015. godine pripao aviokompaniji Omni Air.

Atlas Air Boeing 747-400

U subotu oko 15:30 sati po lokalnom vremenu na Međunarodni Aerodrom Sarajevo sletjela je “kraljica neba”, odnosno Boeing 747-400 aviokompanije Atlas Air, koji je u Sarajevo dovezao 380 američkih vojnika. Avion je iz Tampe u Frankfurt sletio oko 10 sati po lokalnom vremenu, da bi nešto kasnije toga dana iz aerodorma Hahn u Frankfurtu poletio za Sarajevo. Avion je iz Sarajeva za Baltimore otputovao istog dana oko 18 sati po lokalnom vremenu. Ovaj Boeing 747 registarskih oznaka N480MC star je 22 godine. Kroz svoj životni vijek letio je za aviokompaniju United Airlines, a floti Atlas Air-a pridružio se u augustu 2019. godine.

Omni Air International Boeing 777-200ER

Boeing 777-200ER na sarajevski aerodrom trebao je sletjeti u subotu u 18:15 sati po lokalnom vremenu, međutim zrakoplov je iz zračne luke Pleso u Zagrebu sletio tek oko 22 sati. Odlazak je bio planiran u 10:15 sati sljedećeg jutra.

Avion registarskih oznaka N819AX star je 17 godina i prethodno je letio za aviokompaniju Kenya Airways, te nosio ime po afričkoj planini Kilimandžaro.

Boeing 777-200ER na stajanci / Foto: approach.sarajevo
Source: Echo Seven

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

✈ Mismanagement of Mostar International Airport


Bosnia and Herzegovina federal Minister of Transport and Communications Denis Lasić visited Mostar Airport on April 06, 2021. where acting Director Ivan Ljubić informed him about the situation caused by Covid-19 pandemic, but also about future plans and status of negotiations with numerous airlines on the future flight introductions to the airport.

The Minister expressed his commitment to continue supporting the survival and development of Mostar Airport until airport reaches financial self-sustainability and announced the imminent signing of a contract for capital transfer and current government subsidies for the year 2021.

The total value of government subsidies for the airport is 3,5 million Bosnian Convertible Marks (1,8 million Euros), of which one million KM refers to the program of spending the current transfer "Subsidies to public companies" for the improvement of air transport, and 2,5 million KM for airport’s stuff salaries and keeping airport operational since airport does not have any airline-passengers or cargo traffic due to Covid-19 pandemic. But, even before the pandemic the airport did not have any  serious air traffic for the last two years. Main reason, mismanagement!

This season Eurowings is the only airline that will operate extremely limited number of flights from Duesseldorf (only 9 round-trip flights).

The airport management should be more proactive on bringing airlines and using the subsidies to attract new airlines that would bring businesses to the airport and the whole tourist sector industry to the city of Mostar (hotels, restaurants, rent a car, railways, shopping) instead government subsidies are used for management and employee’s paychecks for the work they don’t do (airport does not have any flights, NONE).

The government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina should stop issuing blank checks to the airport management and paying them for doing absolutely nothing. If the airport’s management is not capable of doing what they are paid for, they should be replaced or Mostar Airport should be closed, since the airport is open so they can only serve themselves.

Mostar Airport potential is huge! City of Mostar is second most visited city in the country, right after Sarajevo. If the airport had a management who was working for the airports development instead of staling it due to political gains, by now Mostar Airport could have been second busiest in the country with 600.000 yearly passengers. City of Mostar and Herzegovina region has big advantages for a low-cost carrier base:

-Proximity of Adriatic coast (airport could offer 3 Euro passenger fee to attract new airlines and take some passengers from Split and Dubrovnik), but again politics, not economy play major role here.

-Mostar and Hercegovina with its climate could be advertised as winter destination for UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia.

-Medjugorje has huge potential, flights to Poland, Ireland, Italy with two weekly flights could work year-round.

-Railway link to Sarajevo and Capljina (Scenic train ride from Mostar to Sarajevo is one of the most beautiful in the world, and this could be used as another advantage for LCC). Bosnia has most modern trains in all of the Balkans, Talgo trains with scenic and wonderfully comfortable ride can reach Sarajevo in less than two hours.

-Tourist potential of the city and whole region of Herzegovina is unlimited and to the most part untapped. City of Mostar, Neretva rafting, Buna, Medjugorje, Herzegovina Wine route, Rotimlja settlement, Neum, Hutovo Blato, Wild horses’ habitat in Livno, and many more!

-Red Bull Stari Most cliff diving tournament (this event is attracting about 25.000-35.000 visitors every September).

The time has come for Federal Government to decide either to change management or close the airport, there in no third option here!

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈Ryanair to launch Tuzla flights!

 


Europe’s biggest airline Ryanair has announced its arrival at Tuzla International Airport from September of this year. The airline will launch two routes to Tuzla from Germany. Baden Baden and Weeze will be served with two weekly flights. Ryanair will compete with Wizzair on Baden Baden route. Arrival of second low-cost carrier at Tuzla International Airport is excellent news for the airport and its customers, since healthy competitions is always welcomed, benefiting customers. Now Ryanair will serve two airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka with 8 routes and Tuzla with two routes. Ryanair arrival at Tuzla is a sign that airline will definitely expend its operation in Tuzla, most likely from spring of 2022.


Source: Flying Bosnian and Ryanair.com




✈Ryanair to start Stockholm (ARN) – Banja Luka flights

 


Europe’s largest airline Ryanair has announced new route from Banja Luka. Stockholm’s main airport Arlanda will be served twice weekly starting November 02, 2021. This brings Ryanair’s network from Banja Luka to eight destinations in five European countries.

Stockholm (ARN) – Banja Luka (BNX)

Route

Flight number

Flight times

Operating days

Valid from-to

ARN-BNX

FR 4618

09:45-12:25

-2---6-

02.11-

BNX-ARN

FR 4619

12:50-15:30

-2---6-

02.11-

Source: Flying Bosnian and Ryanair.com

Thursday, April 29, 2021

✈ Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 at Sarajevo Airport!

 

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 (reg. A6-BLL) landed today at Sarajevo International Airport. Flight EY2163 from Abu Dhabi (AUH), landed in Bosnian capital city at 13:00 after 5hour 30 minutes flight from UAE. After 90 minutes on the ground, beautiful Dreamliner took of from Sarajevo Airport at 14:24 for a flight back to its home base in Abu Dhabi. Thank you Amer Varesanovic for providing me with these beautiful photos of this majestic airplane at Sarajevo Airport!














Source: Flying Bosnian

✈ Wizz Air delays the launch of three new routes from Sarajevo

Wizz Air is delaying the launch of three new routes from Sarajevo: Brussels-Charleroi, London-Luton, and Paris-Beauvais. All three routes were scheduled to launch on May 21st/22nd with Wizz Air opening its base at Sarajevo Airport but due to the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, flights are pushed to launch on June 14th/15th. The remainder of Wizz Air’s network from Sarajevo is launching as scheduled between May 20th to the 23rd. In accordance with COVID-19 travel restrictions, future flight delays are possible.

Source: Flying Bosnian


Wednesday, April 28, 2021

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded #SafeTravels destination stamp

Bosnia and Herzegovina was awarded the #SafeTravels destination stamp, by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), after adopting the organization’s Covid-19 guidebook and guidelines, which contain steps and actions in the tourism industry during the pandemic.

Alongside other countries across the world, Bosnia is also facing a difficult situation in terms of the surge in new Covid-19 cases, which affects all business entities dealing with tourism, said the statement.

#SafeTravels stamp proves Bosnia's readiness to take a position on the international market and to follow international trends in tourism. This is the first but crucial step in reaching the recovery of the tourism industry and restoring the trust of international travelers.

Bosnian Ministry of Environment and Tourism thanked the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on its ‘Tourism’ project, which provided assistance to the authorities at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina in drafting, developing and adopting of essential protocols, which enabled the country to be awarded the SafeTravels stamp.

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is made up of members from the global business community and works with governments to raise awareness about the travel and tourism industry. It is known for being the only forum to represent the private sector in all parts of the industry worldwide.The organization created the #SafeTravels Stamp for travelers to recognize destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the #SafeTravels health and hygiene global standardized protocols.

Source: N1 Sarajevo

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

✈ Banja Luka International Airport – 2021 Summer Timetable

Banja Luka International Airport is set to have its busiest summer, with record number of flights and destinations offered from the city. Two weeks ago, big news came from Wizz Air, announcing five new routes from Banja Luka to: Basel, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Malmo and Stockholm. Each of Wizz Air destinations from Banja Luka will be served with two weekly flights. Ryanair will introduce two new routes from Banja Luka to Milan-Bergamo and Vienna, bringing Ryanair network from the city to seven. Air Serbia will operate scheduled flights to Belgrade (2x weekly). Freebird Airlines will operate charter flights to Antalya, the flights are pre-booked by Kontiki travel agency. Total of 17 round-trip flights are scheduled, offering 6.120 seats in both directions.

Banja Luka Airport - destinations map



Source: Flying Bosnian

Monday, April 26, 2021

✈ Tuzla International Airport – 2021 Summer timetable


During 2021 summer timetable Tuzla International Airport will be connected by Wizz Air to 15 cities across Europe and Antalya in Turkey by Freebird Airlines. Total of 2.320 flights are on offer with 417.600 seats. Since majority of the destinations are requiring negative Covid test on arrival, Tuzla Airport made it very convenient by installing Covid testing site at the airport’s grounds.

Sunday, April 25, 2021

✈ Sarajevo International Airport - Summer timetable analysis

Sarajevo International Airport is expecting to start its recovery from next month with Wizz Air opening its base at the airport with nine new European routes. 

Also, FlyBosnia is restarting itsoperations with eight routes from Sarajevo. Majority of FlyBosnia flights will cater for tourists from Gulf region visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina. FlyBosnia flights from Bahrain, Doha, Gassim, Jeddah, Kuwait City and Riyadh are pre-booked by travel agencies specializing in vacation packages to Bosnia. The other two FlyBosnia routes from Sarajevo, Antalya and Hurghada are pre-booked by Bosnian travel agencies for Bosnians vacationing in Turkey and Egypt. 

From June 21st Air Arabia is introducing its second route from Sarajevo, Abu Dhabi will be served three times weekly. The airline will also operate daily flights from Sharjah to Sarajevo. United Arab Emirates will be connected with Sarajevo from Abu Dhabi (AUH) 3x weekly, Dubai (DXB) 14x weekly and Sharjah (SHJ) 7x weekly. 

Three airports from Saudi Arabia will have direct connections with Sarajevo this summer season, Gassim 2x weekly flights, Jeddah 6x weekly and Riyadh 13x weekly flights. 

As we reported earlier this month for the first time in its history Sarajevo will have direct flight to the United States. Easter Airlines will operate one weekly flight between Chicago (ORD) and Sarajevo, using 238 wide-body Boeing 767-200ER aircraft. For the first time ever Sarajevo Airport will have direct flights to cities on four continents, Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Total of 38 routes with 33 airports in 20 countries will be offered from Sarajevo this summer season (19 in Europe, 12 in Asia, 1 in Africa and 1 in North America). During the peak summer months, the airport will have 153 weekly departures. See tables bellow for detailed timetable analysis.

Friday, April 23, 2021

✈ Sarajevo International Airport - Summer timetable update

 


Sarajevo International Airport and Eastern Airlines have confirmed establishment of first ever scheduled air service between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina as we reported earlier.  With addition of Chicago to its network Sarajevo Airport will be connected with record number of destinations this summer. Total of 33 destinations will be offered from Sarajevo, 19 in Europe, 12 in Asia, 1 in Africa and 1 in North America.

Updated list of Sarajevo Airport destinations



Sarajevo Airport destination map - Europe



Sarajevo Airport destination map - Asia and Africa



Sarajevo Airport destination map - North America



Source: Flying Bosnian

Thursday, April 15, 2021

✈ 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


Tuesday, April 13, 2021

✈ Eastern Airlines to launch Chicago-Sarajevo flights

 


First ever scheduled air service between United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be established by an US airline in May! EasternAirlines will launch one weekly summer seasonal flight between Chicago (ORD) and Sarajevo (SJJ). Flights are scheduled from May 28 to September 03, operating on Fridays from Chicago and Sundays from Sarajevo with Boeing 767-200ER aircraft. Total of 14 round-trip flights are scheduled. Tickets are already on sale on airlines website and major booking websites.

Source: Flying Bosnian and Eastern Airlines


Friday, April 9, 2021

✈ Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to launch Sarajevo flights!

 


Air Arabia will launch its second destination from the United Arab Emirates to Sarajevo. The airline will launch three weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Sarajevo on June 21, 2021, flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with Airbus 320 aircraft. This is second destination for Air Arabia to be operated from Sarajevo, the airline maintains summer seasonal flights from Sharjah.


Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was formed following the agreement by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia to establish an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with the Abu Dhabi International Airport as its hub. The new carrier is complementing the services of Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi and catering to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region.

Source: Flying Bosnian

✈Bosnia and Herzegovina air traffic report for JAN-FEB 2021

Banja Luka International  Airport

Bosnia and Herzegovina air traffic report for the first two months of 2021. Sarajevo Airport is including the data for the month of March 2021.  



BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA



SARAJEVO




TUZLA




BANJA LUKA




MOSTAR



Source: Flying Bosnian and BHDCA